MISSOURI 

AND 

MISSOURIANS 



SHOEMAKER 




Class JE^i^e. 

Book .F^^r 

Copyright ]^° 

CQEUUGHT DKPOSm 




MONUMl'.NT ERKcriED IN FKANCli BV TllK STATE OF 

MISSOURI IN MEMORY OF THE SONS 

OF THE STATE 



A History of Missouri 
and Missourians 



A Text Book for "Class A" Elementary Grade, 
Freshman High School, and Junior High School 



Those states stand highest in general renown which have 
stood highest in popularizing their true history. 



BY 

FLOYD C. SHOEMAKER, A.B, A.M. 

Secretary, "State Historical Society of Missouri ;" 
Editor, "The Missouri Historical Review;" Author, 
"Missouri's Struggle for Statehood," "Missouri's 
Hall of Fame." 



Published by 

THE WALTER RIDGWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Columbia, Missouri 

1922 



Copyright, 1922, 

BY 

FLOYD C. SHOEMAKER. 



©CI.AG00058 



OCT 26 JU22 



-it«? / 



■S57 



PREFACE 

No state offers a richer history than Missouri. Covering 
over two centuries of recorded annals, the story of her people 
is a resume of the important political, social, and economic 
developments of our nation. In exploration Missouri 
was opened to Spaniard and Frenchman, in settlement to 
Frenchman and American, and in government she was ruled 
by each. Her lead deposits, fur-bearing animals, salt springs, 
and fertile soil attracted her first settlers. Her central geo- 
graphical position made her the crossroads of trade and travel 
from east to west, gave her possession of the fur trade and the 
Santa Fe trade, and peopled her land with homeseeking settlers 
from south, east, and north. An American state with ninety- 
five per cent of her people native born, Missouri offers to 
her citizens advantages possessed by few. 

Missouri history is rich in interest, instruction, and profit. 
It is more than romance, it is a study offering high reward to 
its followers. It is one of the bases for appreciating the value 
of sound patriotism. It is the greatest develoi>er of man's chief 
asset — the critical faculty. It furnishes a fund of information 
from which knowledge grows and wisdom develops. And, 
finally, it profits the State itself in retaining its citizens and 
attracting new ones. Missourians are just awakening to the 
importance of this last. 

The "History of Missouri and Missourians" was written 
in such manner as to make possible the attainment of these re- 
wards. History largely fails when it is presented in purely 
chronological manner. Such history is little more than annals, 
and annals become tedious over a period of decades. History 
also fails in both interest and instruction when it is founded 
on any one phase of a people's development. The development 
of Missouri agriculture, education, mining, and transportation, 
is at least as important as a history of Missouri politics. The 

(5) 



6 Preface 

founding and development of Missouri cities is certainly as 
important. 

An appreciation of these facts explains the reason for the 
present treatment of Missouri history in this book. It is a 
history of Missouri and Missourians. Therefore, it is topical 
first and chronological second. The main emphasis is on the 
people's social and economic development. The political phase 
is not slighted but it is given only its proper proportion. The 
same is true of wars. Missouri's geographical position, her re- 
sources, and the character of her population, are fully dealt 
with in order to appreciate the activities of the people. 

The advantages of the topical treatment, especially since 
1820, are many. It enables the reader to get a perspective of 
one hundred years on any subject. Instead of a piecemeal pre- 
sentation of a subject, distributed in a dozen places, the reader 
gets a summary review of that subject in one or two chapters. 
This makes possible an intelligent understanding of that sub- 
ject. This method of presentation lends itself to the teacher, 
making Missouri history, as it should be, both readable and 
instructive. 

The "History of Missouri and Missourians" also marks a 
departure in ignoring the insignificant and the notorious how- 
ever spectacular. Neither is worthy of treatment in a school 
textbook or a supplementary reader. The truly important 
events in Missouri history are many. There is no need to pan- 
der to so-called interest by including minor happenings. 

The purpose of this history is to tell the true story of Mis- 
souri's development and to recount her contributions to civili- 
zation. If this story is well told a new State pride should re- 
sult. Such a pride, founded on facts, will enable Missourians 
to meet with confidence the contentions of strangers. It also 
will enable them to take counsel from the wisdom of their fore- 
fathers. And, it will instill in each the spirit of communion 
with home-land and home-folks — Missouri and Missourians. 

Floyd C. Shoemaker 

Columbia, Missouri. 



CONTENTS 



Part I 
MISSOURI AND MLSSOURIANS 

Page 

Chapter I. Missouri, The Center State 9 

Ciiapter II. Missourians 19 

Part II 

MISSOURI A FOREIGN POSSESSION, 1541-1804 

The Day of the Frenchman 

Chapter I. Early Spanish and French Explorers, 

1541-1804 27 

Chapter II. First Century of Settlement, 1700-1804. . . 38 

Chapter III. Mis.souri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804. . 47 

Part III 

MISSOURI AN AMERICAN TERRITORY, 1804-1820 

To share the duties and privileges of the greatest republic is 
the priceless inheritance of every American citizen 

Chapter I. The Louisiana Purchase, 1803 58 

Chapter II. Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 62 

Chapter III. Life of the People, 1804-1821 77 

Chapter IV. Missourians, The Trail-makers and 

Traders of the West, 1804-1843 94 

PART IV 

A CENTURY OF MISSOURI POLITICS, 1821-1921 

Missouri is a grand old state, and deserves to be grandly 

governed 

Chapter 1. The Rule of the Fathers, 1820-1844 112 

(7) 



8 Contents 

Chapter II. Democratic Rule and Political Unrest, 

1844-1860 126 

Chapter III. Civil War Politics and Radical Repub- 
lican Rule, 1861-1870 147 

Chapter IV. The Liberal Republicans and the Demo- 
cratic Return to Power, 1870-1904 175 

Chapter V. The Period of Independent Voting and 

Political Uncertainty, 1904-1921 196 

Part V. 
A CENTURY OF MILITARY MISSOURI 

Chapter I. Early Wars — Black Hawk, Seminole, 
Honey, Mormon, Mexican, and Kansas 
Border Wars 208 

Chapter II. The Civil War 219 

Chapter III. The Spanish-American and Mexican 

Border Wars 233 

Chapter IV. The World War 237 

Part VI 

A CENTURY OF MISSOURI'S VICTORIES OF PEACE 

The test of a civilization is its ability to co-operate 

Chapter 1. A Century of Population 249 

Chapter II. Missouri "Mother of the West" and 

"Founder of States" 266 

Chapter III. A Century of Missouri Agriculture ....272 

Chapter IV. A Century of Missouri Mining 283 

Chapter V. A Century of Transportation 294 

Chapter VI. A Century of City Building 303 

Chapter VII. A Century of Journalism and Literature315 

Chapter VIII A Century of Education 326 

Appendix 337 

Index 338 



PART I 

MISSOURI AND MISSOURIANS 

Chapter I 

MISSOURI, THE CENTER STATE 

The Mississippi Valley 

Lying between the Alleghany and the Rocky mountains 
on the east and the west, the Great Lakes and the Gulf of 
Mexico on the north and the south, is the Mississippi valley. 
This valley is the largest in the United States and one of the 
largest in the world. It is also the best fitted for man because 
of the soil, climate, and rainfall. 

The valley takes its nanie from the river. The Mississippi 
river rises in Minnesota and is 2,500 miles long. The Missouri 
river is the main tributary. In fact, the Missouri is the main 
river of the valley. It rises in Montana in the Rocky mountains 
and from its source to its mouth at the Gulf is 4,200 miles 
long. Not only is the Missouri river longer than the Miss- 
issippi river, but it drains three times as much land before it 
joins the Mississippi as the Mississippi does before it joins the 
Missouri. The Missouri drains nearly one-half (42%) of the 
entire Mississippi valley. The total area of the Mississippi 
valley is 1,250,000 square miles, or eighteen times as large as 
the State of Missouri. Since the area of our country exclu- 
sive of Alaska and Hawaii is 3,026,789 square miles, the 
Mississippi valley embraces 41 % of the United States. 

Important as this valley is in size, it is even more im- 
portant in producing food, clothing, shelter, fuel, and metals. 
It is nature's storehouse. Blessed by nature with rich soil. 
valuable metals, broad forests, healthful climate, and abundant 

(9) 



lo 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



rainfall, the Mississippi valley ranks first in the world in use- 
fulness and products. 

Location of Missouri 

In the center of the Mississippi valley lies Missouri with 
an area of 69,420 square miles. It is about 500 miles from 





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MISSOURI, THE CENTER STATE 

St. Louis east to the Appalachian mountains and it is nearly 
the same distance from Kansas City west to the Rocky moun- 
tains. From south Missouri to the Gulf of Mexico the dis- 
tance is also 500 miles and from north Missouri to Canada it is 
about 600 miles. This central location is important. It makes 
Missouri the natural meeting place of the people of the 
Mississippi valley. It makes Missouri the central cross roads 
of trade. 

Missouri is also the center state of the Mississippi valley 
in another sense. It has a central climate which gives it cold 



Missouri, The Center Staie 1 1 

winters in the north and mild winters in the south, hot sum- 
mers in the north and cool summers in the mountains of the 
south and southwest. 

Even more important is the fact that Missouri is the cen- 
ter state in natural wealth. This wealth consists principally 
of all the different kinds of soil found in the Mississipi valley, 
most of the metals and minerals, and nearly all of the useful 
kinds of timber. Missouri has prairies, bottom land, and 
mountains. Few states have all of these to such an extent as 
Missouri. 

Finally, Missouri is in one respect the center state of the 
United States. Five states lie to the east of her and five to 
the west. Two states lie to the north of her and two to the 
south. Missouri is not, however, the geographical center of 
the United States. It is nearly twice as far from Missouri to 
the Pacific (1,500 miles) as from Missouri to the Atlantic 
(800 miles). 

Nature's Gateway to the West 

Missouri is not only the geographical and the natural re- 
source center of the Mississippi valley, but Missouri is also the 
river center. Like the threads of an immense web, the rivers 
stretch over the valley. The center of this web is Missouri. 
Along her eastern border lies the Mississippi, with its import- 
ant eastern tributaries, the Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio rivers. 
These rivers tap or connect with the vast country to the north, 
northeast, east, and in part the southeast, and all of them flow 
toward Missouri. This made it easier for the people from 
those parts and especially from the east to come here in 
pioneer days. It also made it easier to bring eastern goods 
here. Until the coming of the railroads in the middle of the 
19th century, the waterways of the Mississippi valley were the 
main means of travel. Missouri as the river center stood at 
the crossroads of trade. 



12 ■ History of Missouri and Missourians 

Cutting the State into two parts and forming her north- 
west boundary is the Missouri river, with its many tributaries, 
the Yellowstone, Platte, Kansas, and Osage rivers. These tap 
the even larger country to the northwest and the west, and all 
flow toward Missouri. This made it natural for Missourians 
to explore those parts and made it easier for them to bring 
back the furs trapped on plains and mountains. 

Another fact is important. By following the Missouri 
river and its tributaries, whether by water or land, the Mis- 
souri explorer, trader, or trapper came within a few miles of 
other rivers. If he followed the Missouri river up-stream, he 
approached clo.se to the Columbia. If he followed the Yellow- 
stone, he could easily reach the Snake. If he followed the 
Platte, he soon found the Green and the Grand, which form 
the Colorado, and the Arkansas. The Arkansas was close to 
the Rio Grande. In short, the Missouri river was the path to 
the West, and Missouri became the Gateway to the West. 

Many Missourians entered the West by boat and many, 
perhaps more, went by land. In either case, the river course 
was followed. It was because the river was the guide and 
because Missouri was the starting point, that Missourians 
opened the trails and the trade, and later largely settled the 
country to the northwest, west, and southwest. Missouri be- 
came the Gateway to the West. 

Natural Wealth 

Missouri is a favored child of nature. Many states were 
given rich soil, some rich minerals, and others vast forests, 
but few were given all of these. Missouri is one of the 
favored few. She also was given broad rivers, healing springs, 
a healthful climate, sufficient rainfall, and beautiful scenery. 
This great natural wealth was given man to develop, not waste, 
for his own needs and for the needs of his fellowmen. 

Missouri's greatest resource is her soil, of which there 
are many kinds. The most important Missouri soils are hot- 



Missouri, The Center State 1 3 

torn, brown loess, prairie, fertile Ozark, and highland Ozark. 
The bottom soil is very rich and deep. It borders the rivers 
and creeks and broadens out in southeast Missouri to include 
seven counties. The brown loess soil is equally fertile and is 
perhaps more valuable. Beginning in Boone county in centred 
Missouri it borders both sides of the Missouri up-stream, get- 
ting much wider, and in northwest Missouri it broadens out to 
include six counties. About half of St. Louis county has 
brown loess, and several counties in southeast Missouri have 
some. Like the bottom soil, it wull produce in abundance, and 
it is especially fine for corn and apples. The prairie soil in- 
cludes all the State north of the Missouri except the narrow 
ribbons of bottom and the bands of brown loess. It also 
covers three counties and about half of three more lying south 
and southeast of Kansas City. It is fertile and produces most 
of the grains, hay, and pasture. The Mississippi valley is com- 
posed largely of this prairie soil, and it makes the valley the 
granary of the world. The fertile Ozark soil borders the base 
of the Ozark mountains. In area it is extensive, but not so 
large as the prairie. In quality, most of it is good while some 
of it is very productive. The highland Ozark is thin and 
stony. It is not a good soil for grain raising or general fann- 
ing, although there are some fertile patches. In area, it is ex- 
tensive, covering nearly half of the State lying south of the 
Missouri. This soil is belter for grass farming, such as cattle 
raising and dairying, and some of it is adapted for fruit. The 
Ozarks are the oldest part of the continent. 

Missouri's mineral resources rank second only to her soil. 
These mineral resources are extensive and important. Some 
are found in nearly all parts of the State. They include such 
useful minerals as coal and iron, lead and zinc, pottery and 
building clays, marble and stone, sand and gravel, cement rock, 
and mineral springs. Coal is the most important of these. 
Rich veins underlie many parts of Missouri. Missouri's coal 
beds underlie nearly one-third of the state (22,000 square 



14 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



miles), including nearly all the country north of the Missouri 
and ten counties of western Missouri south of the river. These 
beds contain enough coal to furnish fviel for the people for 
centuries. Only the thick veins are now worked. Missouri 
leads the world in the production of lead and zinc. Most of 
the lead co'.nes from St. Francois and neighboring counties in 




DA.M ACROSS WHITE RIVKR AT l''.i\Vi:RSITE, MO., FORMING LAKK 
TANEYCOMO 



the southeast and from around Jasper county in the southwest. 
The southwest part also produces all of the zinc. Pottery 
and building clays, from which are made tile and brick, are 
found in various parts of Missouri, as are sand and gravel and 
building stone. Marble and cement rock ( from which tement 
is made) are found in quantity and quality in only a few 
places. Mineral springs are rather widely scattered. Some of 
these have healing qualities of much value to man, as are those 
at Excelsior Springs and Eldorado Springs. From other 
springs the early settlers made salt by boiling the water. In 
fact, it was land and lead, salt and furs, that attracted Mis- 



Missouri, 'I'hf. Center State 



15 



souri's first settlers. Of iron Missouri has extensive deposits 
and years ago the iron industry here was important. 

■^.lissouri was once a great lumber state rmd even today 
she has much valuable timber. Her yellow pine in the south is 
l>eing cut rapidly hut she still has much oak and walnut timber. 




mc; OZAKK SPRING, NORTH OF ALTON. MISSOURI 

Reported to be the Largest Cold Water Spring in the World. Flows 486,000,000 

Gallons Every Twenty-four Hours. 

Another source of natural wealth in Missouri is her beau- 
tiful scenery. Some states, as Colorado and California, have 
widely advertised their scenery and made it a source of wealth. 
In the Missouri Ozarks is scenery full of beauty and interest. 
Rugged cliffs, clear streams, big natural caves, some of the 
largest springs in the world, and a mild delightful climate, 
make this part of the State one of the most fascinating natural 
playgrounds in America. The views around such places as 
Ha Ha Tonka in Camden county, Galena in Stone county, and 



l6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Branson in Taney county equal the best in America. In fact, 
the entire Ozark section of Missouri is noted for its scenery 
and natural wonders. In Oregon county is the largest cold 
water spring in the world — Big Ozark or Greer Springs. It 
discharges 486,000,000 gallons of water daily. 

The swift flowing streams of the Ozarks are also becom- 
ing a source of wealth to Missouri. By building dams across 




grand falls near joplin 

One of the Most Beautiful Natural Waterfalls in the Country 

them and putting in machinery, the water is made to work for 
man. In pioneer days they furnished power to turn the big 
water-wheels of grain mills. To-day they furnish power from 
which electricity is made. This electricity is carried by wires 
to towns and cities miles away where it is used to light homes, 
run street cars, and operate factories. Water power is some- 
times called "white coal." 

Geography 

Nearly two hundred and fifty years ago, the name "Mis- 
souri" was first given to a tribe of Indians who lived near the 
mouth of the Missouri river. The river itself was first called 
"Pek-i-ta-nou", meaning "muddy water." The name of the In- 



Missouri, The Center State 17 

dian tribe was later given to the river, and "Pek-i-ta-nou" be- 
came "Missouri." The meaning of "Missouri" is uncertain. 
It is usually thought to mean either "muddy water" or "great 
muddy." 

When tihe country around the river became a territory, 
the name of the river was given to the territory. When the 
territory became a state, cut into two parts by this stream, it 
was given the same name. So the State of Missouri re- 
ceived its najne "Missouri" from the territory; the territory 
from the river; and the river from the Indians. 

The Territory of Missouri, organized in 1812, included all 
of the Louisiana Purchase except the State of Louisiana. All 
of the white people lived in what is now Missouri and Arkan- 
sas. In 1819 the Territory of Arkansas was set off and in 
1820 the State of Missouri was formed. The shape of Mis- 
souri in 1820 was the same as it is to-day with one important 
exception. Instead of the Missouri river north of Kansas City 
being the western boundary, a line was run directly north. 
This excluded from Missouri what are to-day the counties of 
Atchison, Nodaway, Holt, Andrew, Platte, and Buchanan. 
This tract of rich land was held by the Sac, Fox, and lov^^ 
Indians. It was called the Platte country. The United States 
government purchased this from the Indians in 1836 and gave 
it to Missouri. This was called the Platte Purchase, and by it, 
Missouri's boundary was completed. 

Missouri is an easy state to bound. On the north is one 
state, Iowa, and on the south is one state, Arkansas; on the 
east are three states, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee; and 
on the west are three states, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 

Missouri is a large state compared to the states east of the 
Mississippi, but is rather small compared to many of the big 
states in the west. Her area is a little over 69,000 square 
miles. From east to west her greatest width is 348 miles and 
her average width is 235 miles. Her average length from 
north to south is 242 miles. Although the shape of Missouri 



1 8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

is not square, still her average width and her average length 
are nearly the sajne. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. State the geographical position of Missouri in the Mississippi 
valley. 

2. Name the three ways in which Missouri may be con.sidered the 
center state. 

3. The fact that Missouri is a center state has influenced her his- 

tory in what way? 

4. What can you say of the importance of Missouri's natural 

wealth? 

5. What is the origin of the name, "Missouri?" 

6. When was the original Territory of Missouri organized and 

what did it include? 



Chapter II 

MISSOURIANS 

The First Inhabitant — The Indian 

When the first white man came to Missouri he found 
Indian tribes. South of the Missouri river were the Osages, 
the tallest race of men in North America. North of the Mis- 
souri river were the Missouris, Otoes, and lowas. These three 
tribes were gradually pushed westward by the Sacs and Foxes, 
who later took their place in north Missouri. The Kansas 
tribe of Indians lived near the mouth of the Kaw river. The 
Delawares and the Shawnees came later. They were invited to 
settle in southeast Missouri to help protect the white settle- 
ments against the warlike Osages. A few Miamis were in cen- 
tral Missouri. 

The Osages, Missouris, Otoes, Kansas, and lowas, were 
related to each other. They spoke different dialects of the 
same language. All of them had once lived near the mouth of 
the Missouri river. The Osages left first and went west and 
southwest. The Missouris left last, being forced out by the 
Sacs and Foxes. These latter came from Wisconsin. They 
were not braver tlian the other Indians but they were better 
armed with guns instead of with bow and arrow. The Sacs 
and Foxes were two tribes but they fought as one. They were 
treacherous and they were able. They easily defeated other 
Indian tribes and they gave the white settlers in Missouri 
much trouble. The Missouris were no match for the Sacs and 
Foxes and later they disbanded. Some went with the Osages 
but the majority joined the Otoes. The Delawares and Shaw- 
nees came by invitation from Ohio. They were the white 
man's friends and acted as a barrier between the whites and 
the Osages. The Kansas and the lowas did not play an im- 
portant part in our history. 

(19) 



20 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Just as the Sacs and Foxes forced the Missouris, Otoes, 
and lowas westward, so did the white man by treaty, arms, 
and presents, force the Sacs and Foxes and tihe other Indian 
tribes westward. Finally, by 1833 all Missouri was clear of 
Indian title except the Platte country. The Platte country 
was also cleared by the Indian treaties of 1836. 

The Osages were the most representative Indians of Mis- 
souri, and well might any state be proud oi having produced 
such perfect men. They were the tallest race in North 
America. Few Osage braves were under six feet, many were 
six feet and six inclies, and some were seven feet. They were 
well formed and good looking. They were quick and graceful. 
In war and the chase they equalled any. They thought nothing 
of running sixty miles in one day and they shot an arrow with 
such force as to go entirely through a grown buffalo. The 
Osages shaved the head and decorated and painted it with 
great care. They cut and slit the ears and profusely orna- 
mented them. Unlike other Indians they did not drink 
whiskey and they had contempt for any one who was drunk. 
Like most Indians they raised corn, beans, and pimipkins ;• 
gathered nuts and berries ; and cured the meat killed in the 
chase. They planted in the spring, hunted in the summer, hid 
their food in the fall, hunted in early winter, and returned 
home until spring. 

Although the Indians in peace and war played an import- 
ant part in nearly all American settlements, few states were so 
fortunate as Missouri. This was due to our French settlers 
knowing how to deal peaceably and justly with the red man. 
The American rarely got along so well with the Indian as did 
the Frenchman. Again, Missouri was fortunate in having a 
small Indian population. The Indians in Missouri probably 
never exceeded 15,000 in number. Finally, Missouri was 
fortunate in having a remarkable man in charge of Indian af- 
fairs. This was William Clark, Missouri's last territorial 
governor. The Indians called Clark, "Red Head" from his 
red hair. They all honored and feared him. 



MiSSOURIANS 



21 



The Indians were once the only Missourians. None of 
ihf orij^inal Indians of Missouri Hve in the State to-day. They 
are scattered over reservations or are found in Oklahoma. 
Missouri's first inhabitants have gone. They have left little 
to remember them by except the name of a stream or county, 
and some flint arrov^ heads scattered here and there. Other 
races were to people the State. 




INDIAN VILLAGE SCENE 



The First White Man — The Frenchman 



The first white man to make his home in Missouri was 
the Frenchman. Probably the first white man to see Missouri 
was the Spaniard, De Soto, but he did not stay. The French 
were the first explorers, the first traders, and tlie iivst set- 
tlers. The French were the first Missourians if we except 
the Indians. They founded the first settlements along the 
Mississippi; traded for or trapped the first furs along the 



22 



History of Missouri and Missourians 




MlSSOURIANS 



23 



Missouri; planted and gathered the first crops; boiled the first 
salt; and mined the first lead. They named some of the 
streams and cities as, Little Bonne Feinme (little good woman) 
and St. Louis, and thousands of their sons and daughters are 
living in Missouri to-day. The French began coming to Mis- 
souri about 1700. They continued to come here for a century. 
The first settlers came from what is now Illinois, just east of 
Missouri. Most of the French in Illinois had come from 
Canada and some from lower Louisiana around New Orleans. 
So the first white Missourians, the Frenchmen, came from the 
north and the south. Missouri was to be a center state even 
from the viewpoint of population. 

The Spaniard, 1770-1804 

x\lthough the French came first, they were soon to lose 
their motlier country-, France. In 1762 France by a secret 
treaty ceded to Spain all the Louisiana cotmtry, i. e., all the 
land that she owned lying west of the Mississippi, but it was 
not tmtil 1770 that Spain sent a governor to St. Louis to 
govern the upper Louisiana country. From 1770 to 1804 a 
Spanish governor and a few Spanish soldiers lived in St. 
Louis. They mixed with the French people, intermarried, and 
had friendly social relations. There were very few Spaniards 
who came to Missouri but they contributed their share to the 
history of the State. One of the greatest explorers and fur 
traders Missouri produced was a Spaniard, named Lisa, of St. 
Louis. 

The Early Americans, 1780-1804 

Within a decade after the coming of the Spaniard in 1770, 
the American retiched Missouri. Only a few came at first, 
but between 1780 and 1804 they came in hundreds. Many 
were from Illinois and Indiana but more were from Kentucky. 
Nearly all were of southern birth, i. e., Kentucky, Virginia, 
and Tennessee. 



24 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Later Americans, 1804-1860 

The flood of Americans that had started before the pur- 
chase of Louisiana by the United States in 1803, grew even 
larger after 1804. At first most of these came from the 
South, Virginia, Kentucky, and the two CaroHnas, Maryland, 
and Tennessee, but a few came from the Middle States, 
Pennsylvania, and New York. Later more of the Americans 
began coming from these Middle States and from Illinois, 
Indiana, and Ohio, although the immigrants from the South- 
ern States still were in the majority. From this it is seen that 
the Missourian was at first a full-blood Frenchman witlh a 
slight Spanish dressing. Later he became half -French and 
half-American. Then he was fairly swamped in the flow of 
new American immigrants. These Americans came from the 
South and easily out-numbered all otliers, then later other im- 
migrants began coming from eastern states. Missouri was 
again proving to be a center state. 

The German, 1830-1860 

Beginning about 1830 a new people appeared in Missouri. 
These were the Germans. Some persons of German blood 
had settled in Missouri before this but they had come either 
from Ohio or Pennsylvania. In 1824 an educated German 
doctor named Duden came here and lived two years in Warren 
county. On returning to Germany he wrote a book which 
pictured Missouri as a wonderful land of opportunity. At that 
time Germany was governed by many petty kings and life 
was very hard for the people. So Duden's book became popu- 
lar and thousands of Germans sold their property and came to, 
Missouri. This took place between 1830 and 1850. 

In 1848 the German people in Germany rebelled against 
their kings. The people were defeated and thousands left 
Germany. Many of these came to Missouri. Some of our 
counties are to-day peopled by the sons and daughters of these 
early German pioneers, who loved freedom even more than 



Missouri AN s 25 

their old home-land. Many settled in the country and became 
farmers, while others settled in the city. 

The Irish, 1850-1860 

Just as the Germans left Germany through hope of oppor- 
tunity and love of freedom, so did the Irish leave Ireland. 
The Irish were struggling with the English for freedom and 
independence. The Irish were overcome and their condition 
was desperate. They lacked both freedom and food. They 
began to come to America. The potato crop, the main food 
crop of Ireland, failed. Tens of thousands now left their old 
homes to seek new ones here. Some came to Missouri between 
1850 and 1860. They settled mainly in our cities. 

Recent Americans, 1865-1920 

After the Civil War a new American immigration poured 
into Missouri. These new settlers came mainly from the east, 
especially from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. As the former 
Americans in Missouri had come largely from the south and 
the majority were Democrats, so the ones from the east and 
northeast were usually Republicans. (The Irish were usually 
Democrats and the Germans, Republicans.) Many of the 
Union (or northern) soldiers who had passed through Mis- 
souri during the war, on their return home decided to settle 
here. They also told their neighbors. Moreover, land was 
cheaper here than to the eastward. This eastern and northern 
immigration to Missouri kept up for a number of yeaTS. 
About 1870 another American immigration set in. This was 
from Iowa and Illinois. Land in these states had become very 
high. Hence a number of people from these states crossed 
over and settled in Missouri. They also were largely Republi- 
can in politics. This new immigration is still going on. 



26 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Foreigners 

In recent years Missouri has received a number of 
foreigners. Some of the principal peoples of this class are 
Swedes, Bohemians, Poles, Swiss, and Italians. The number 
of foreign born in Missouri is vei*y small, there being only five 
per cent of Missouri's people born on foreign soil. 

The Negro 

The first negroes on Missouri soil were slaves brought 
here from the West Indies to work the lead mines. This was 
before any permanent settlement had been made in Missouri. 
Prior to the Civil War, the negro population brought from the 
South by the American settler kept increasing. Most of these 
were slaves. Since the war, the negro has been free. 

Conclusion 

So "Missourians" means more than most people think. In 
the first place, the Missourian in ninety-five cases out of one 
hundred is native born. Missourians include the French, Ger- 
man and Irish races grafted on and absorbed by the American 
stock both northern and southern. Missourians are really a 
center people, just as their state is a center state. To under- 
stand this is to appreciate more easily many things in Missottri 
history, Missouri politics, and Missouri thinking even today. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Locate the nine Indian tribes in Missouri. 

2. Which tribes were the most peaceable and which the most war- 

like? 

3. Describe the most representative tribe of Missouri. 

4. How do you explain the friendly relations existing between the 

Indians and the first white inhabitants? 

5. What nationalities predominated in the immigration to Mis- 

souri during the period from 1700 to 1804? How does this 
compare with the period from 1830 to 1920? 

6. What percentage of Missourians are native born? 



PART II 

MISSOURI A FOREIGN POSSESSION 

1541-1804 

The Day of the Frenchman 

Chapter I 

EARLY SPANISH AND FRENCH EXPLORERS, 
1541-1804 

Missouri a Center State of Exploration 

Missouri was visited in early days by both the Spanish 
and the French and later was owned by both. The Spaniard 
came first, arriving here only half a century after Columbus 
discovered America. The Spaniard did not stay. Others came 
every thirty or forty years on exploring trips. This continued 
from 1541 to about 1720, a period of nearly two hundred years. 
The Spanish came first from the southeast or Florida, later 
from the southwest or New Mexico. They did not aid in set- 
tling Missouri because they did not have that object in view. 
The Spanish explorer in Missouri sought gold and silver, later 
he came to oppose the French. He failed in both. He never 
stayed long enough to do anything lasting for himself although 
he influenced Missouri histoiy in a way that he least expected. 
He laid open t-he path to his own country in New Mexico, and 
later along that path developed a great trade — The Santa Fe 
trade. 

The Frenchman came much later. He first appeared in, 
or near, Missouri about 1659. Others came from the north- 
east or Canada and later from the east or Illinois. In half a 
century otlier French explorers came from the south or Loui- 
siana. This exploring of Missouri by the French continued 

(27) 



28 History of Missouri and Missouriaks 

for about a century and a half (1659-1804). During this time 
settlements were made. The Frenchman wanted to discover a 
water route to the western ocean and build an empire for 
France. Like the Spaniard, he sought gold and silver but 
when he failed to find either in Missouri, he turned to other 
objects as salt, lead, furs, and trade. The main work of the 
Frenchman in Missouri was to explore and settle and in this 
he succeeded. It was because the French not only explored 
but also settled the Mississippi valley that they claimed and 
maintained their possession of it. The Spanish first explored 
it but did not settle it. 

As a result of European wars, Missouri became a Span- 
ish possession in 1762. Although in 1800 Spain gave back the 
Louisiana country, i. e., the land west of the Mississippi river 
to France, and France sold it to the United States in 1803, a 
Spanish governor continued to rule here imtil the United 
States took actual possession in 1804. So Missouri although 
French in population, remained a Spanish possession for 
nearly forty years. This might be called the Spanish-French 
period of exploration but since it differed so little, if any, 
from the period before, it is well to think of it merely as a 
continuation of the French period. The rulers were Span- 
ish, the people were French. Missouri was more widely ex- 
plored, especially for lead, salt, and trade. 

The next half century of Missouri exploration (1804- 
1850) is the American period, although during the first twenty 
years of this period the Missouri-French were very active and 
prominent. During these years the exploration of Missouri 
was completed. The exploration was largely for good land. 
Then Missourians in turn became explorers of the states lying 
to the west. Missouri by the latter work became the "Mother 
of States" both by right of exploration and by right of settle- 
ment. These western explorations of Missouri were largely 
for the purpose of trading. 



Early Spanish and French Explorers 29 

The Spaniard Sought Gold and Silver 

In April 1541, less than half a century after CalumtHis 
discovered America, De Soto a Spaniard, exploring north- 
westward from Florida, discovered the Mississippi river. He 
and his men crossed and traveled over mucli of Ark.insas. 
They probably even entered southeastern Missouri. Although 
looking for gold and silver, they found neither. A year later 
De Soto died and was buried in the river he had discovered. 
His expedition failed and only a few survivors ever reached 
civilization. 

It is remarkable that during the same year, 1541, another 
Spanish expedition was traveling toward, and possibly also en- 
tering, Missouri. This one came from the southwest. It was 
led by Coronado. It also was seeking gold and silver. Coro- 
nado, like De Soto, found no precious metals and he soon left 
for the Spanish settlements in Mexico. Coronado came close 
to Missouri and it is passible that he entered the western parts 
of the State. 

All later Spanish explorers, who came near or entered 
Missouri, started from the Spanish settlements around Santa 
Fe, New Mexico. During the century following De Soto and 
Q)ronado, there w^ere at least three of these exploring parties. 
The routes taken by these are not known with exactness be- 
cause they were over the broad plains of Texas, Oklahoma, 
and Kansas. It is probably that some of these explorers en- 
tered Missouri along the west and several may have gone 
quite a distance toward the Mississippi. 

These explorers all speak of Missouri as a beautiful land 
of tall trees, rich grass, and many kinds of luscious fruit — as 
pkims and berries. The Spaniards were not, however, looking 
for these. They still sought gold, silver, and precious stones. 
Not finding these, they returned to Santa Fe. 

The last Spanish expedition from New Mexico to Mis- 
souri was in 1720. Its purpose was to trade with the Indians, 



^o History of Missouri and Missourians 

perhaps get the Indians to join in a treaty against the French, 
and to explore the country along the Missouri. This party 
was badly defeated by the Indians. Only one person survived. 
Some Frenchmen may have helped the Missouri Indians in the 
defeat. Almost exactly one hundred years after this Spanish 
trading expyedition left Santa Fe, a Missouri expedition 
entered Santa Fe to trade with the people of New Mexico. 

One story told of this expedition of 1720 is that the Span- 
ish came to form an alliance with tihe Osages against the Mis- 
souris and the French. By chance the Spanish met first the 
Missouris and mistook them for the Osages. They told the 
Missouris their plans. The Missouris pretended to agree but 
they soon ambushed the Spanish and destroyed tihem. So 
ended the Spanish exploration period of history. Its object 
had been too narrow. The Spanish in their search for gold and 
silver overlooked the greater wealth Missouri had in furs, lead, 
and rich soil. To Spain belongs the honor of discovering the 
Mississippi river; to France is the greater honor of redis- 
covering it and of exploring and settling the great Mississippi 
valley and Missouri. 

The French Sought Trade and Commerce — Furs, Lead, 

AND Salt 

Between the coming of De Soto and Coronado in 1541 
and the appearance of the French nearly a century passed. 
During this time the Spanish had settled in Florida, New Mex- 
ico, South America, and the West Indies; the English had 
founded a fringe of settlements along the Atlantic; and the 
French held a narrow strip along the St. Lawrence and had 
explored westward on the Great Lakes. In 1634 a young 
Frenchman named Nicollet reached the upper Mississippi 
river. His object was to find a water route to the western 
ocean, which would give a short passage to India. 

French traders, soldiers, and missionaries then began tra- 
versing the country lying between the Ohio and the Mississippi. 



Early Spanish and French Explorers ^I 

In 1659, two of their traders, Radisson and Groseilliers, went 
as far west as the Mississippi and not only re-discovered the 
river but may have even discovered the Missouri. If so, they 
were the first whi'te men to see both rivers. Like the early 
Spanish explorers, it is not certain where these men traveled, 
i. e., how far south and west they went. These remarkable 
men later served England and founded the great Hudson Bay 
Company. 

The next explorer to leave Canada for the central 
Mississippi valley was Joliet, a native bom Canadian. He was 
accompanied by a missionary named Marquette and five 
Frenchmen. Traveling down the Mississippi river in two light 
canoes, loaded with smoked meat, corn, and presents for the 
Indians, he entered the Mississippi. This was in 1673. Along 
the way he made peace with the Indian tribes, gave presents, 
and smoked the calumet, or the pipe of peace. This expedition 
wanted to learn where the Mississippi emptied and was hoping 
that the Mississippi led to the western ocean. Joliet passed the 
mouth of the Missouri and noticed its muddy water. The 
expedition may have camped on Missouri soil since a vein of 
iron ore was noticed here. After traveling south, Joliet came 
to where the Arkansas Indians lived. There he camped. The 
Indians gave a feast to the party. The feast consisted of 
buffalo meat, bear's oil, and white plums. Learning from the 
Indians that the Mississippi emptied into the Gulf of Mexico, 
the expedition returned to Canada. Father Marquette later 
died in the wilds of Alichigan and Joliet died in Canada. 
This expedition did much to interest the French in the 
Mississippi valley. 

The leading spirit of western French exploration was the 
patriotic French soldier and explorer La Salle, who in 1671 
had discovered the Ohio river. In 1682 he left Canada for 
the west and to him is the honor of being the first white man 
to navigate the Mississippi from its upper course to the Gulf. 
On April 9, 1682, he reached the mouth of the Mississippi. 



32 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



There he planted a column bearing the arms of France, and, 
in the name of his king, took possession of the Mississippi 
valley in the name of France. La Salle had vision. He plan- 
ned to build here a colonial empire for France. He went to 
France and interested the king. With a fleet and settlers he 
sailed for Ihe mouth of the Mississippi. He landed in Texas. 
Here famine, Indians, and treachery finally overcame his 
expedition. La Salle was murdered and only a few of 
his settlers survived. Some of these traveled north and may 
have passed through Missouri on their way to Canada. 

From this time French exploration increased in the 
Mississippi valley and in Missouri. Permanent settlements 
were .made in Illinois just opposite the Missouri side and tem- 
porary settlements were made in Missouri. Hunters, ex- 
plorers, traders, and miners traveled over Missouri. Four 
things impressed these early visitors in Missouri — soil, salt, 
lead, and furs. Even before 1700 there were one or two tem- 
porary settlements in Missouri. One was located in what is 
now south St. Louis, and another in Ste. Genevieve county. 
Not much is known about these early settlements as they 
were later abandoned. Much more is known about what was 
being done in Missouri by the French. 

As eaily as 1688 a Frenchman named La Hontan came 
down the Mississippi and up the Missouri to the mouth of the 
Osage. Here he built several huts. He was the first white 
explorer to go up the Missouri as far as the Osage. He 
was also the first white visitor who hunted in Missouri. He 
had a shot gun and when he discharged it near some Missouri 
Indians, they all rushed from their huts and begged for mercy. 

As early as 1700 the rich lead mines of Missouri were 
well known and were being worked by the Canadian-French 
living in Illinois. The salt springs of Ste. Genevieve county 
were known and their waters were boiled to obtain the salt. 
It was lead and salt that brought Missouri her settlers. 
The profitable fur trade with the Indians in Missouri brought 
hunters and traders and later brought settlers. 



Early Spanish and French Explorers 33 

Even the French government in France knew of Mis- 
souri's rich lead mines and was interested. In 1717 the 
Company of Che West was founded in Paris. It was given 
exclusive control over Louisiana for twenty-five years. This 
company began working the lead mines in Missouri and lead 
was sent to Illinois, Indiana, Canada, New Orleans, and even 
to France. The company gave a Frenchman named Renault a 
mineral grant and in 1723 he left France with full equipment 
to mine lead in Missouri. At San Domingo his ship picked up 
500 negro slaves to work the mines. These were the first 
slaves in Missouri. Renault stayed until 1732 and he mined 
large quantities of lead. 

While scores of Frenchmen were working Missouri's lead 
mines, other Frenchmen, usually the Canadian-French, were 
hunting, trading, and exploring in Missouri. The profitable 
fur trade drew many. These traversed not only the Mississippi 
but went up the Missouri and some of its large tributaries. 
Others came here to explore. The old idea of Nicollet and 
Joliet to find a water route to the western ocean had not been 
dropped although the course of the Mississippi was now known. 
The Indians and even some of the French hunters told stories 
of the Missouri river rising far to the westward in high 
mountains. They said that only a short distance from this 
river source was the beginning of another river which flowed 
into the western ocean. A century later tliese stories were 
found to be true, as tfwo- Americans, Lewis and Clark, later 
proved. It is not surprising to find these early French- 
men exploring the Missouri river even though they did not 
reach its source. The French government also heard of these 
stories and as early as 1708 ordered an exploration of the 
Missouri river but this was abandoned. 

Ten years later a French-Canadian named Du Tisne came 
here. He should be remembered because he was the first to 
make a real exploration of Missouri. He went up the Missouri 
as far as the Osage and the Gasconade, but the Missouri Indi- 



34 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



ans were hostile and he was forced to return. He then started 
from Kaskaskia, in IlHnois, and crossed the Mississippi to 
what is now Ste. Genevieve county. From here he traveled 
westward across the Ozarks until he finally came to the source 
of the Osage. Somewhere in western Missouri he, like La 
Salle, erected the standard of France and took possession of 
the country. During this land expedition (1718-20), Du Tisne 
learned much about Missouri. He found lead, met Indi- 
ans, observed that the Indians had horses, and noted the 
beautiful streams and prairies. He had many interesting ex- 
periences. One time when he and his men were with some 
Indians, he learned that the Indians were planning to scalp 
him. Du Tisne wore a wig and had just shaved his head. 
Taking off his wig and throwing it on the ground, he said, 
"You will have my scalp? Take it up if you dare." The Indi- 
ans were afraid to hurt a man who could, as they thought, 
take off his own scalp. At another time he feared the Indians 
would massacre his party. He told them that if they became 
hostile he would burn the waters in their rivers and fire their 
forests. Taking some brandy, he poured it out and set fire to 
it. The Indians had never before seen liquor bum and they 
were startled. Du Tisne then took a sun-glass from his pocket 
and held it so that it concentrated the sun's rays on some dry 
leaves and again the Indians thought Du Tisne had great 
power. Du Tisne's exploration was important. He opened 
the way across the Ozarks into western Missouri and he made 
friends with the Indians. 

Three years after Du Tisne returned from his exploration, 
a Frenchman named De Bourgmont was ordered by the 
French government to found a fort on the Missouri river and 
to explore the country to the west. This was in 1723. 
Bourgmont with twenty soldiers went up the Missouri river 
and somewhere between what is to-day Brunswick and Malta 
Bend, erected a fort. He called it Fort Orleans. This was 
the first European settlement in Missouri, if the temporary 



Early Spanish and French Explorers 35 

settlements already mentioned are excepted. De Bourginont 
soon set out with an expedition toward the west. He wanted 
to make treaties with the Indians, get near the Spanish, and if 
possible, open trade with both. He came to the mouth of the 
Kaw, where Kansas City now is, and then went south. He 
made several trips to western and southwestern Missouri. In 
1724 he persuaded twelve Indians to go with him to France. 
These Indians were entertained royally. One of the Indian 
maidens married a lieutenant of De Bourgmont. After some 
time in France, the Indians returned to their home in Missouri 
loaded with presents and full of stories of what they had seen. 
In 1726 Fort Orleans was abandoned. 

Other Frenchmen besides these mentioned explored Mis- 
souri but these were the most important. The effect of the 
explorations was to make known the extent and the resources 
of this land. All of southeast Missouri as far north as the 
Missouri river was fairly well explored and its rich lead de- 
posits and its salt springs were discovered and used. The 
shores of the Mississippi were explored from the Des Moines 
south. Parts of the Ozarks were known as were the prairies 
of western Missouri south of the river. The Missouri river 
had been explored as far west as Kansas City and had been 
traversed as far north as the Dakotas. 

During these years there persisted the old idea of finding 
a water route to the Pacific. This idea was not given up until 
Lewis and Clark made their famous expedition in 1804-1806. 
Another plan developing at this time was to trade with the 
Spaniards in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1703 twenty French- 
Canadians left Illinois for Santa Fe to trade. Nothing more is 
known about them. Again, when De Bourgmont started west- 
ward from Fort Orleans in 1723, one of the purposes was to 
get in touch with the Spaniards if possible. The French were 
anxious to trade with Santa Fe but for years the powerful Sac 
and Fox Indians at the mouth of the Missouri prevented them 
from making progress. In 1734 a French expedition went up 



^6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

the Missouri river as far as North Dakota. Two years later 
the Mallet brothers went up the Missouri, then up the Platte 
river across Nebraska into Colorado. They traveled south in 
Colorado and New Mexico and actually reached Santa Fe> 
From that time a trade sprang up between the French in Mis- 
souri and the Spanish in Santa Fe. Finally, in 1792 the 
governor of New Mexico sent a man by the name of Vial to 
make a trail from Santia Fe to St. Louis. This early trade be- 
tween Missouri and Santa Fe is important. Later, when 
Missouri became a state, the Santa Fe trade grew larger and 
larger. The pioneer French settler of Missouri laid the foun- 
dation of that trade. 

The coming of Spanish officials and soldiers to Missouri, 
after France gave the Louisiana country to Spain in 1762, 
marked no change in the methods and plans of exploration. 
More settlements were made along the Mississippi and a few 
miles up the Missouri river Americans began to pour in, taking 
up land in the back country. French and American hun- 
ters, trappers, and traders went here and tliere by land savi 
water over Missouri plying 'their trades. The interior of Mis- 
souri vra.s penetrated and became better known. The Missouri 
river was now navigated farther and farther up-stream. 
Some traders even crossed the plains and tried to trade with 
the Spaniards and natives in New Mexico. 

When the American officials came in 1804, the French in 
Missouri had accomplished these important results : they had 
explored a large part of the country by land and water; had 
observed the lay of the land and the flow of the rivers; had 
located the lead deposits and salt springs ; had made both war 
and peace with the Indians ; had attempted to open a trade with 
Santa Fe ; had developed a profitable fur trade ; and most im- 
portant, they had founded well established, permanent settle- 
inents. The story of the period of American exploration by 
Missourians began in 1804. 



Early Spanish and French Explorers 37 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Contrast the first Spanish explorers in Missouri with the first 

French explorers. 

2. Who was the leading spirit of western French exploration? De- 

scribe his exploration and state his plan. 

3. Explain how some of the natural resources of Missouri in- 

fluenced the early French exploration. 

4. Describe the first real exploration of Missouri. 

5. In what way did the pioneer French settler lay the foundation 

for the Santa Fc trade?* 

6. Summarize the important results of French exploration from 

1659 to 1804 



Chapter II 
THE FIRST CENTURY OF SETTLEMENT, 1700-1804 

Missouri's fur, lead, salt, and soil brought Frenchmen and 
Americans to our land. 

The Explorer Brings the Settler 

Not long after Joliet and La Salle floated down the 
Mississippi, came Canadian-French missionaries, himters, 
trappers, traders, and lead miners to Missouri. Several tem- 
porary settlements were made. One in what is now south St. 
Louis on the River des Peres is said to have been the first 
white settlement on the Mississippi river. This was before 
1700. The first permanent settlements appeared on the easi 
bank of the Mississippi in the Illinois country'. These were at 
Kaskaskia and Cahokia. From these Illinois settlements, 
made by the Canadian-French, men came to Missouri to ex- 
plore and trade, and finally to settle. Around the lead mines 
in eastern Missouri temporary settlements sprang up and some 
of these may have had a continuous life. The establishment of 
Fort Orleans in 1723 was partly for military purposes and 
partly for trade and exploration. The explorer was soon fol- 
lowed by the temporary settler, and the temporary settler by 
the permanent settler. The Illinois-French explorers and set- 
tlers also came to Missouri to get salt. Opposite Kaskaskia, 
on the Missouri side of the Mississippi, in what is today Ste. 
Genevieve county, were salt springs. Salt was as necessary 
as lead to the pioneer. It cured his meat and flavored his 
food. Soon some of the Illinois-French built temporary huts 
near the salt springs. The land near these was rich and fertile. 
A natural path led from the salt springs to the lead mines. 
Naturally a settlement appeared and grew. It was called Ste. 
Genevieve. This was the first permanent settlement in Mis- 

(38) 



The First Century of Settlement, 1700-1804 39 

souri. The date of its founding is not known. It is usually 
placed in 1 732 or 1735, but Ste. Genevieve probably had inhabi- 
tants long before either year. It is also probable that no cer- 
tain year can be set, since traders, miners, and salt makers 
lived in Ste. Genevieve at first for a short time, then for a 
longer time, and finally some made it their permanent home. 
Just as the explorer brought or became tlie trader and tem- 
porary settler, so the latter became the permanent settler. 

The Founding of St. Louis 

The founding of St. Louis differed from the founding of 
Ste. Genevieve. The salt springs, the rich bottom land, and its 
location opposite Kaskaskia on the path to the lead mines, 
made Ste. Genevieve. No one man v^as the foimder of Ste. 
Genevieve, and probably no one year can be set as the date of 
its founding. St. Louis, Missouri's second permanent settle- 
ment, was founded by Laclede in the year 1764, for the pur- 
pose of a fur trading post and settlement. The story of St. 
Louis is one of the most interesting in the history of American 
cities. Its location was a monument to the foresight of 
Laclede, its growth a monument to the energy of its citizens 
and to the resources of Missouri and the West. St. Louis be- 
gan as a fur trading post; to-day it is the raw fur center of 
the world. 

Living in New Orleans in 1762 were two friends, — a rich 
merchant named Maxent and an active young Frenchman 
named Laclede. Maxent obtained from the French governor 
permission to trade with the Indians on the Missouri. He and 
Laclede formed a company, "The Louisiana Fur Company." 
Maxent furnished the money, Laclede was to be the leader 
and do the work. A year later, after making preparations, 
Laclede with a party of workmen, hunters, and trappers, 
sailed up the Mississippi. In some respects, this was the 
most important expedition in Missouri history. After three 
months of slow sailing, Laclede reached the Illinois-Missouri 



40 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



country in November 
1763. His party winter- 
ed at Fort Chartres, on 
the Illinois side. Laclede 
at once began looking 
for a suitable trading 
post location. He and a 
thirteen year old boy, 
Auguste Chouteau, ex- 
plored on foot the Mis- 
souri side along the 
Mississippi. A few miles 
below the mouth of the 
Missouri river Laclede 
found an ideal spot. It 
had a good harbor, a 
fine site free from ordi- 
nary floods, big forest 
trees for building and 
fuel, rich soil for crops, 
springs for drinking 
water, and an excellent 
location for trading on 
both the Missouri and 
the Mississippi. Laclede was delighted. He cut notches in 
some of the trees to mark the place, and told his young com- 
panion that when the river was free from ice he would send 
him here with workmen to start building a settlement. Both 
returned to Fort Chartres. Laclede is reported to have said : 
"I have found a situation where I intend establishing a settle- 
ment which in the future, shall become one of the most beauti- 
ful cities of the world." 

Young Chouteau with thirty men crossed the Mississippi 
in February 1764. They landed on the 14th, and on the 15th 




STATUE OF LACLEDE 



The First Ckntury of Settli:mi:nt, 1700-1804 




AUGUSTE CHOUTEAU 

the building of St. Louis began. Laclede came over in the 
spring. Ry fall all of his party and many Canadian-French 
in Illinois had made St. Louis their home. 

The young man Auguste Chouteau, whom Laclede had 
witli him, was one of a remarkable family. His mother, 
Madame Chouteau, and her children were among the early 
settlers in St. Louis. Madame Chouteau is called "The Mother 
of St. Louis." She was a good business woman and a progres- 
sive citizen. She was interested in the fur trade. It is said 
that she brought the first hive of honey bees to Missouri and 



42 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



that from them started the many swarms of wild bees for 
which Missouri became known. Two of her sons Auguste and 
Pierre were great fur traders and did much to develop that 
business. 

The growth of St. Louis was aided by the fact, now 
known by all, that France by the treaty of 1763 had ceded all 
her land east o^ the Mississippi to England. The French set- 
tlers in Illinois knew that this meant English governors, 
English soldiers, and English laws. These they hated. Many 
crossed over to the Missouri side. Some settled in St. Louis, 
which now grew rapidly. These people did not know that 
France in 1762 had ceded to Spain the country west of the 
Mississippi. When they learned of this, they were disap- 
pointed, but even then they preferred Spain to England. 

The First Immigration of the Illinois-French, 1764-1780 

The effect of the English-French treaty of 1763 was im- 
portant in the settlement of Missouri. Htuidreds of the 
Illinois-French left their old homes to come to Missouri. Many 
tore down their houses and carried them across the Mississippi. 
Some Illinois villages were deserted. Both Ste. Genevieve and 
St. Louis increased in population and in five years they 
together had nearly 1000 persons. Some of these Illinois- 
French also settled in the country and aroimd the lead mines. 
Around these isolated farms and mining camps, settlements 
were later to grow. Among the most important which had 
their beginning during this period were Carondelet and Potosi. 

The Second Immigration of the Illinois-French and the 
First American Immigration, 1780-1795 

Just as the treaty of 1763 and the coming of the English 
gave Missouri her first big increase in population, so did the 
American Revolutionary- War and the peace treaty of 1783 
give Missouri her second increase. During the Revolutionary 



The First Century of Settlement, 1700-1804 43 

War Virginfa sent General George Rogers Clark with soldiers 
to conquer the Illinois country and drive out the British. This 
was in 1778. The Illinois-French who had not moved to 
Missouri helped Clark in every way and he soon drove the 
British from Illinois and Indiana. The French settlers soon 
regretted the coming of the Americans. After Clark left, his 
soldiers took property from the French. The government set 
up by the Americans was oppressive and inefficient. The 
American money was at that time of little or no value and the 
Illinois-French were also defrauded by land speculators. This 
awful condition of affairs lasted from 1778 to 1790. It re- 
sulted in the second immigration of the Ilhnois-French to 
Missouri. New settlements were made. Among these were 
St. Charles 1780, Florissant, near St. Louis, 1785, and New 
Bourbon, near Ste. Genevieve, 1793. 

During these years, between 1780 and 1795, American set- 
tlers also began coming to Missouri. Good land and rich lead 
brought them. The first American probably came in 1770 but 
not until ten years later did any considerable number arrive. 
The cause of this first American immigration to Missouri was 
the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. This ordinance proh.ibited 
slaveiy north of the Ohio and south of the Great Lakes, Many 
of the settlers living in that section owned slaves. Some of 
these settlers began moving westward to Missouri where 
slavery was permitted by Spain. After the passage of the 
Northwest Ordinance many settlers from slave-holding states, 
as Virginia and Maryland, who had intended settUng in the 
Northwest country, passed on down the Ohio. Most of these 
settled in Missouri. They helped found Cape Girardeau, 1795, 
New Madrid, 1789, and Little Prairie, 1790, and many settled 
in the country along the creeks. 

The Second American Immigration, 1795-1804 

Although some Americans came to Missouri before 1795, 
they were few compared to the hundreds of families who came 



A A History of Missouri and Missourians 

between 1795 and 1804. About 1795 the Spanish governor 
general at New Orleans began to fear that the Enghsh, who 
owned Canada, would attempt to occupy the Louisiana 
country, i. e., the country west of the Mississippi. If such an 
attempt were made, the English would come from Canada and 
first strike upper Louisiana, of which Missouri was the center 
and St. Louis the capital. He knew that Missouri did not have 
a large population, perhaps not over 5,000 persons, so he 
determined to invite more Americans to settle here. In case 
of war, the Spanish governor general knew that the Americans 
would protect their new homes and he also knew that they 
were good fighters. He sent orders to the Spanish lieutenant 
governor at St. Louis to attract new settlers. 

Land was offered very cheap. A fine Missouri farm of 
800 acres could be bought from the Spanish govemment for 
only $41 and the cost of surveying. Americans began pouring 
into Missouri by the hundreds. They had heard of the rich 
soil here and of the valuable lead deposits. Most of these came 
from Kentucky and Tennessee, and some from Virginia and 
the Carolinas. They were a hardy people and liked the 
coimtry. The great majority of them settled on bottom farms 
along the small streams, and some settled around the lead 
mines. The French liked to live in towns, they were our first 
city builders. The Americans liked to live in the country, they 
were our first country fanners. The French had already 
founded a chain of settlements along the Mississippi from 
southeast Missouri to St. Charles; the Americans now began to 
settle along the streams inland from these French settlements. 
Led by the famous Boone family of Kentucky, of which 
Daniel Boone was the head, they settled in the St. Charles 
country to the north and west. Others settled west of St. 
Louis along the streams. Back of Ste. Genevieve another 
famous family, the Austins, of which Moses Austin was the 
head, settled around Potosi to mine lead; and the Murphy 
family from Tennessee with many followers formed Murphy's 



The First Century of Settlement, 1700-1804 45 

Settlement, now Farmington. South of Murphy's Settlement 
was St. Michael's Settlement, Fredericktown, but St. Michael's 
was founded by the French. The Cape Girardeau and New 
Madrid country districts were also settled bv Americans. 




emigration of DANIEL BOUNE. BV BINGHAM 

Missouri was growing rapidly in population. By 1804 her five 
districts (the Spanish government divided Missouri into dis- 
tricts instead of counties), St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste Gene- 
vieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid, had 10,350 pei'sons, 
of which 1.500 were slaves. So from a population of 1,000 in 
1769, Missouri grew to 5,000 in 1795, and to 10,350 in 1804. 
Of these 10,350 persons, more than half were Americans, the 
others being French. Although ruled by the Spanish, Missouri 
was peopled by French and Americans. She had towns and 
famis, mines and forests, salt springs and fur-bearing animals. 



46 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Missouri by 1804 had both the people and the resources to be- 
gin the building of a great American territory and state. 

Just as Laclede and the Chouteaus stand out as French- 
men in early Missouri history, so do the Boone and Austin 
families as Americans. Daniel Boone was a true western 
American pioneer. He was a hunter, scout, Indian fighter^ 
and settler. Boone was bom in Pennsylvania. He settled 
early in North Carolina. Later he was one of the first white 
men to explore Kentucky where he and his family settled. He 
was defrauded of his Kentucky land and came to Missouri 
where he died in 1820. Boone county was named in his honor. 
His sons were fine men. Moses Austin was the Missouri head 
of the Austin family. He also came early to Missouri where 
he engaged in lead mining. He was very progressive. Years 
later he went to Texas to found an American colony. His son 
Stephen Austin carried on his work in Texas where he died 
highly honored. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. How do you explain that the first permanent settlement in Mis- 

souri was made at Ste. Genevieve? 

2. Compare the founding of St. Louis with the founding of Ste. 
Grenevieve. 

3. Why was the French treaty of 1763 important in the settlement 

of Missouri? 

4. What event in American history gave Missouri her second in- 

crease in population? Explain why this occurred. 

5. What were the causes which led to the great American immi- 

gration into Missouri from 1795 to 1804? 

6. Compare the population of Missouri in 1769, 1895 and 1804. 



Chapter III 

MISSOURI UNDER SPANISH RULE, 1770-1804 

Spain gave Missouri good government. The people grew and 

prospered. 

The Government 

x\lthough the Louisiana country was given to Spain by the 
secret treaty of 1762, she did not send a lieutenant governor to 
upper Louisiana until 1770. From that year to 1804 a Spanish 
lieutenant governor ruled Missouri. In 1800 Spain ceded 
Louisiana to France but no French lieutenant governor came 
to Missouri. In 1803 France sold Louisiana to the United 
States but formal transfer of upper Louisiana did not take 
place until 1804. So from 1770 to 1804 a Spanish lieutenant 
governor ruled Missouri. 

Under Spanish rule the Louisiana country was divided 
into lower and upper Louisiana. Missouri was part of upper 
Louisiana and in population it was the most important part. 
The capita' of upper Louisiana was St. Louis. Here lived the 
lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor had an assistant, 
called a commandant, in each of the five districts; and each 
commandant had an assistant, called a syndic, in each of the 
local settlements. These were the only government officials 
except a few surveyors, clerks, and soldiers. There was no 
legislature, town council, tax collector, lawyer, or jury in Mis- 
souri. The lieutenant governor made a few simple laws, which 
he enforced. He and his commandants and syndics applied 
these laws when someone did a wrong or got into a dispute. 
The lieutenant governor was military commander, governor, 
judge, and legislature all combined; his assistants had similar 
powers only in a smaller degree. 

(47) . 



4.8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

The settlers both French and American liked this kind of 
government, although they had no voice in it as we have to-day^ 
They liked it because it was cheap, efficient, and quick. In- 
stead of a lawsuit costing much money and time, disputes were 
settled in a few hours without cost. There were no lawyers tO' 
pay. The commandant or syndic heard the parties in dispute, 
and gave his judgment. The case could be appealed to the 
lieutenant governor and from him to the governor general at 
New Orleans, but this was seldom done. There was little 
crime in those days but when a crime was committed, or some 
one gossiped ill of his neighbor, or slandered his neighbor, or 
stole a horse, or talked against the government, then the guilty 
man or woman was quickly judged and pimished, usually 
whipped. People knew this, and they were careful. It made 
them respect each other and honor their government. 

Missouri had eight lieutenant governors during the Span- 
ish period. All of these, except perhaps one, were esleemed 
by the people. The last one was a Frenchman called DeLassus. 
Some of his descendants are living in Missouri to-day. The 
Spanish governors of Missouri had no trouble with the set- 
tlers. They had some trouble with the Indians, especially the 
Sacs and Foxes in north Missouri and the Osages in the 
Ozarks. By means of presents they managed to keep on fairly 
peaceable terms. The English they never liked and with them 
had open conflict. 

British Attack on St. Louis, 1780 

Hardly had a decade passed after the founding of St. 
Louis when the news came that the American colonists were 
in revolt against England. In 1778 Virginia sent General 
George Rogers Clark with his Kentucky riflemen to take from 
the British all north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi. 
General Clark succeeded. The Spanish in Missouri sympa- 
thized with Clark and the Americans. The British decided to 
attack St. Louis, retake Illinois, and march in victory to New 



Missouri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804 



49 




CO History of Missouri and Missourians 

Orleans. A force of Indians and a few Canadian-French un- 
der British leaders gathered in the north. Word was fortu- 
nately brought to St. Louis, but many of the French settlers 
were in the field plowing. The attack, which lasted only one 
day, was made on May 26, 1780. The French lost many, both 
in killed and wounded, but the British and Indians failed. Not 
only was St. Louis saved but also the other Missouri settle- 
ments. The British withdrew. The next year, war having 
opened between Spain and England, a Spanish and French force 
was sent tc attack the British at St. Joseph, Michigan. They 
succeeded and then returned to St. Louis. 

How THE Settlers Lived 

, ■ / 

Just as the government during the Spanish rule was sim- 
ple so was the life of the people. Their houses, furniture, 
dress, amusements, towns, farms, business, and transportation 
were much simpler than today. The French lived in towns. 
They liked to meet their neighbors, observe holidays, play 
games, dress up, dance, and go to church. They were more 
sociable, cultured, and polite than the Americans. The French 
were also noted for their happy disposition, their honesty, and 
their peacefulness. The Americans lived on farms. They 
were honest and hospitable, but they were not so sociable or 
polite. Their games were those showing out-of-door strength 
or skill, like wrestling and rifle shooting; the French liked in- 
door games of skill, like billiards, or games of chance, like 
cards. The Americans had a serious disposition. Some of 
them were more inclined to fight and make trouble. They 
were fearless and dared any danger. They were more enter- 
prising than the French but they did not get the Frenchman's 
enjoyment out of life. This was true among the American 
women, who reared large families on isolated farms. 

The French and Americans were different in other ways. 
The main source of living was farming but both did not regard 
farming in the same way. The Frenchman farmed in order 



Missouri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804 51 

to .make a living so that he could enjoy life. He was not am- 
bitious to own much land or become wealthy. He lived in 
town and had one or two long, narrow thirty- five or forty acre 
lots, about two hundred feet wide and one and a half miles 
long, back of his garden. This lot was part of a large field 
next to each French settlement. The field was called the 
"common field." Each Frenchman owned his own farm lot in 
the "common field." This field was fenced by all the lot 
owners, each having to do his share. Besides the "common 
field", the French set aside another large tract of ground near 
the village for pasture for their stock and for firewood. It 
also was fenced by all. This was called^ the "commons" and 
was owned by all and not by individuals as was the "common 
field." By this kind of farming the French obtained two re- 
sults — they were able to earn a living from the soil and still 
live in town, and by co-operating in building one fence for a 
large tract of ground they saved themselves much labor. Since 
they lived close to each other they were enabled to help in 
lending tools and labor. It must have been a beautiful sight to 
have seen a hundred men out in the long, narrow fields work- 
ing side by side, throwing jokes, singing songs, and making the 
hills echo with their laughter. Certainly the Frenchman made 
farming a pleasure. 

The American farmer was quite different. He wanted 
to make a living but he was equally interested in becc^ning 
wealthy. He laughed at the little forty acre lots of the French. 
He wanted hundreds of acres, sometimes he wanted thousands. 
The American knew that some day land in Missouri would 
grow in value (in money) just as it had in the east and as it 
was growing in Kentucky. But to own large farms and make 
a living on them, meant isolation in those days. Therefore, 
the American farmer settled farther back in the country. He 
liked such a life. By nature he was independent and he 
wanted to live far enough away that he could not hear the 
bark of his neighbor's dog. He wanted to be next to the 



52 



IIlSTORV OK MiSSOUiil AND MiSSOURIANS 




Missouri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804 ^^ 

forest abounding in wild game that could be killed with his 
rifle or caught b} his traps. The American farmer was not un- 
sociable and he was always hospitable but he lived so far from 
others that sociability was not so easy as with the French. 
The Americans also co-operated as in building houses, "house- 
raising" as they called it, and sharing fresh meat. However, 
distance with roads frequently impassable, prevented them 
from aiding each other as did the French. 

Even in building houses the French and the Americans 
differed. Both made their homes out of hewed logs. The 
French placed the logs on end, like a picket fence only as closely 
together as possible. The spaces between were filled with 
mortar or clay and then whitewashed. The Americans placed 
the logs lengthwise, one on another. Both styles were rarely 
over one-story high. The first two-story rock house in Mis- 
souri was built by Nathan Boone, a son of Daniel Boone. It 
is still standing three miles north of Marthasville. The French 
also built some stone houses but generally they built of logs. 
Both the French and the American house had only two rooms. 
One room served as a kitchen, the other as a living room, din- 
ing room, and bedroom combined. Sometimes this combination 
room had one or two small rooms partitioned off for sleeping 
quarters, and sometimes the children slept in the loft or attic, 
which was reached by a ladder. The French two-room house 
was a single building, wider than it was deep. It had windows 
with small glass panes. Since there were no stoves one or 
two big chimneys of rock or clay with fireplaces were used for 
cooking and heating. Porches ran along the entire front and 
rear, the roof over the porches being a continuation of the 
house root. The American two-room house was a double 
building, also wider than it was deep, with an open place be- 
tween the two buildings or cabins. One roof covered botli 
buildings and the open place. The roof was made of clap- 
boards hewed from sections of logs and were about three- 
fourths of an inch thick, four or five inches wide, and three to 



^4 History of Missouri and Missourians 

five feet long. The clapboards were laid like shingles and 
were held in place with logs placed over them. Nails were 
handmade and were scarce and costly. The floors were 
made of logs hewed on one side and then joined together. 
Sometimes both the French and the Americans had a kitchen 
built at the back of the house. If the family owned slaves, 
cabins weie built for them back of the home. The French 
built their houses along the town's main street and had little 
or no front yard. Back of the house they had beautiful flower 
gardens, orchards, and vegetable gardens. 

Both ihe French and the Americans engaged in the same 
pursuits to make a living. The principal occupation was farm- 
ing. Prices were fairly good but it was hard to market what 
one had to sell. The Americans raised corn, some wheat, hogs, 
and cattle. Very little grain was sold owing to poor transpor- 
tation, but hams and salt pork were sent by boat to New 
Orleans. The rivers were the only means of getting produce 
to market, unless one lived near a town. That is one reason 
why all the early settlers lived close to streams. Other reasons 
were water, rich soil, and timber. The roads were little more 
than paths, impassable in the spring and overgrown with 
bushes and high grass in the summer. But the early settlers, 
both French and American, did other things besides farming. 

They hunted for wild game as deer, bear, prairie chicken, 
turkey, ducks, and geese. They also hunted and trapped wild 
animals for their furs, which could always be sold. Some be- 
came traders with the Indians, and grew wealthy. Others 
mined lead and sold the lead to the town merchants. Missouri 
lead was used in America and in Europe. Thousands of 
pounds of lead were mined in Missouri in what is to-day Jef- 
ferson, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Madison, and Washing- 
ton counties. The lead belt lay back from the Mississippi be- 
tween the Meramac and Apple Creek, and was about 45 miles 
wide and 70 miles long. The first lead mined was taken to 
Fort Chartres, on the Illinois side, and later to Ste. Genevieve. 



Missouri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804 55 

The lead was moulded in the shape of a collar and was hung 
across the neck of a horse. Later it was moved in two-wheeled 
French carts, the wheels being of solid wood sawed from a big 
log. They had no iron tires, so the Americans called them 
barefooted carts. The oldest wagon road in Missouri was 
from Ste. Genevieve to these lead mines. As other towns were 
founded they received part of the lead for shipment. Most of 
the furs, however, went to St. Louis. 

The towns were at that time as they are to-day the centers 
of trade. Here were the merchants and traders. The French 
towns were all very much alike. Each consisted of one long 
street parallel with the river. On this street were built the 
houses. There were no separate buildings for stores. A 
merchant or trader kept his goods for sale in his home. These 
were packed in chests or boxes to be brought out and displayed 
to the buyer. However, there were warehouses for keeping 
furs, but only the big merchants had them. In the town were 
also mechanics, carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, 
and furniture makers. All of these served an important place 
in the life of the early pioneer. Most of the furniture was 
homemade and was simple, consisting of a table, beds, and a 
few chairs. In most homes were a spinning wheel and a loom 
for nearly all cloth was made at home. 

The gunsmith and the blacksmith were both necessary. 
The pioneer depended on his gun to protect him from beast 
and Indian, and to provide him with much of his meat and 
part of his furs. The gunsmith knew how to repair the 
pioneer's rifle. He was a busy man. The blacksmith made 
the few tools used by the farmer and the mechanic. These 
tools were heavy and crude. The principal farm tools were 
the hoe, spade, sickle, mattock, rake, and plow. 

In religion all of the French were Catholics and so were 
some of the Americans. The majority of the Americans were 
Protestants, but the government did not permit them to have 
Protestant churches or ministers, or to hold service. There 



^6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

were no public schools, but in the villages the Catholic churches 
gave elementary instruction. The mass of the people were un- 
educated. 

The dress of the first settlers was simple. The French 
dress differed from the American. For everyday wear the 
Frenchman wore a coarse cloth coat with a cape, which could 
be used to cover the head. Both men and women wore blue 
handkerchiefs over the head and moccasins to protect the feet. 
The French woman was more tasty in her dress and followed 
the fashions of Paris. On holidays and Sundays the men also 
wore more stylish clothes. Both men and women loved colors 
in their dress. 

The American settler wore a long hunting shirt or coat, 
which came to the knees. This was made of buckskin or 
coarse cloth. His breeches were also of this material. He 
wore either shoes or moccasins, but preferred shoes. 
Frequently he went barefooted in the summer, especially if he 
were poor. The American liked a hat and always wore one. 
It was made either of skin or of cloth. The coonskin hat was 
popular with hunters. The American woman tried to dress 
like her people "back East." She also wore a hat when she 
wanted to appear well dressed. This hat, which was very 
pretty and attractive, was in the general shape of a bonnet. 

Conclusion 

Missouri under Spanish rule was well governed. The peo- 
ple were happy and contented. There was little crime and life 
and property were protected. The settlers were of French or 
American blood. They lived together in peace and harmony. 
The population increased rapidly from 1795 to 1804. The 
early settlers were French ; they built our first cities. The 
later settlers were American ; they were our first real country 
farmers. The Frenchman worked in order to enjoy life; the 
American worked to make a living, to own much property, and 
to beccxme wealthy. The American was more ambitious and 



Missouri Under Spanish Rule, 1770-1804 57 

energetic. It was his energy and independence in pushing 
farther and farther into the wilderness that laid the founda- 
tions of our State. All were law abiding and honored their 
government. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Describe the political form of government in the Louisiana 
country under the Spanish rule. 

2. Give an account of the attack by the British on St. Louis in 
1780. 

3. Contrast the French method of farming with the American 
method. 

4. Describe the American and the French pioneer house. 

5. Tell of the chief occupations of the American and Frenchman. 

6. Of what importance was the city in pioneer days? 

7. Describe the dress of the Frenchman. Describe the drtss of 

the American. 

8. What was the religion of the people during this period? 

9. Give your impression of the Spanish period. 



PART III 

MISSOURI AN AMERICAN TERRI- 
TORY, 1804-1820 

To share the duties and privileges of the greatest republic is 
the priceless inheritance of every American citizen. 

Chapter I 

THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE 

"The most important event in Missouri history and one of the 
most important in American history, is the Louisiana 
Purchase." 

The Purchase 

The history of a state is not made entirely by the people 
of that state, much of it is made by others. The early Mis- 
souri-French had no part in the secret treaty of 1762 by which 
France gave the Louisiana country, including Missouri, to 
Spain. Missouri's settlers had no part in the treaty of 1800 
by which Spain gave back to France this same Louisiana 
country. Finally in 1803, when the United States purchased 
from France the Louisiana country, all Missouri became 
American soil although Missouri's people had nothing to do 
with this most important event. The Louisiana Purchase was 
a matter of business and policy between President Jefferson 
and his agents acting for the United States, and Napoleon and 
his agents acting for France. The price was $15,000,000. Two 
reasons caused Napoleon to sell. He needed the money, and 
he feared that England in the next war would possess Louisi- 
ana. He may also have thought that by making the United 
States stronger, he was making England less powerful. 

(58) 



The Louisiana Purchase 



59 



The Transfer of Upper Louisiana, 1804 

Althoug-h in 1800 Spain gave back to France all of 
Louisiana, and although the United States purchased it from 
France in 1803, a Spanish Heutenant governor ruled Missouri 
until March 9, 1804. On that day took place in St. Louis the 




GOVERNMENT BUILDING IN ST. LOUIS. WHERE FORMAL TRANSFER OF 

UPPER LOUISIANA WAS MADE 

(From Houck's Hist, of Mo.) 

formal transfer of upper Louisiana. Captain Amos Stoddard, 
of the United States Army, appeared with some American 
soldiers. He was to serve as the representative of two coim- 
tries, France and the United States. The Spanish lieutenant 
governor, De Lassus, with his Spanish soldiers stood beneath 
the flag of Spain. He formally transferred possession of 
upper Louisiana to France. Stoddard acting as the represen- 
tative of France accepted possession. The Spanish flag was 
hauled down and the French flag was raised. This was on 
March 9, 1804. How the French inhabitants of St. Louis and 



5o History of Missouri and Missouri an s 

the French visitors of other towns must have rejoiced in see- 
ing again the flag of their mother country ! It is said that 
they asked Capt. Stoddard to let the French flag stand for 
twenty-four hours. He consented. On the next day, the 
French flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes was raised. 
A shout went up and Charles Gratiot, a Frenchman, called for 
three cheers for the American occupation. It was given in 
allegiance to the United States. But there were many present 
who did not rejoice and there were some who wept. Although 
they were French, they honored the mild rule of Spain. They 
did not dislike the United States but they and even some of 
the American settlers feared the change. They knew it meant 
taxes and service in the militia, and these they disliked. They 
did not rebel or protest and as best they could showed their 
good intentions. The majority of American settlers rejoiced. 
So ended the day, March 10, 1804. Missouri had become 
American soil. The formal part of the Louisiana Purchase 
had closed, but the effects will last as long as America ex- 
ists and Missouri is a state. 

The purchase of Louisiana is one of the greatest events 
in American history. It added to this country a domain from 
which have been formed, in whole or in part, thirteen states. 
To-day it is the geographical center of our nation. Its value is 
beyond accurate estimate. Its people are largely native bom 
Americans, industrious, religious, and loyal. In extent it 
stretched from Canada on the north to Texas and the Gulf on 
the south, and from the Mississippi on the east to the Rockies 
on the west. It has been called the largest real estate trans- 
action in history. 

In Missouri history the purchase of Louisiana stands out 
as a land-mark. It brought about changes of the greatest im- 
portance. Missouri's government changed from Spanish to 
American ; her schools changed from village church classes to 



The Louisiana Purchase 6i 

both private and public schools; her religion changed from an 
established state faith, the Catholic, to freedom of worship 
open alike to Catliolics and Protestants; her social life changed 
from French to American; and her methods of doing business 
became American. Other changes also appeared. The Ameri- 
can immigration begun under the latter Spanish rule now in- 
creased. American courts were established and lawyers and 
lawsuits became common. The American land speculator 
promptly put in his appearance and land booms and depres- 
sions became part of our business life. The American editor 
came and soon a weekly newspaper appeared. With the 
American system of popular self-government came elections 
whereby the people chose their officers and lawmakers. Other 
changes were soon noticed which were not good. With the 
thousands of new American settlers came some undesirable, 
citizens. These lived by their wits and their fists. Crimes 
became more common. Fights and even murders now occured. 
Drinking and gambling were prevalent in the towns. The 
duel also appeared. The peaceful life of the old French vil- 
lage had passed. Rush and hurry to develop the country, to 
found new towns, to make money and became wealthy now 
became the goal of the people. These are only some of the 
important changes, others will later be noticed. Most of these 
were improvements and they enabled Missouri to become the 
great state she is today. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Explain the transfer of the Louisiana Purchase. 

2. Wliat was the attitude of the inhabitants when the formal 

transfer was made? 

3. VVIiat is the importance of the Louisiana Purchase in American 
history? 

4. Wliat is the importance of the Louisiana Purchase in Missouri 

history? 



Chapter II 
MISSOURI'S STRUGGLE FOR STATEHOOD 

The Gk)VERNMENT OF MISSOURI 1804-1821 

Americans dislike laws lianded down from a higher source ; 
they will petition, demand and fight for self-government. 

General Survey of the Territorial Period 

The seventeen years of Missouri history following the 
Louisiana Purchase were marked by several outstanding fea- 
tures in the field of government. These features are important 
and, if remembered, they are a key to this period. In the first 
place. Congress by five different laws provided in general 
terms what Missouri's territorial government should be, and 
finally by two more laws Congress permitted Missourians to 
provide what Missouri's state government should be. These 
seven laws passed by Congress gradually gave Missourians 
more and more control over their own government until finally 
Missouri became a state in the Union. In the second place, as 
Missouri's population increased during these years and as new 
Missouri counties were formed, Missourians wanted less Con- 
gress-government and more self-government in Missouri. They 
petitioned time after time for this privilege of governing them- 
selves and finally only statehood itself would satisfy them. 
This second feature may be called Missouri's struggle for 
statehood. It was successful only after a long and bitter fight 
in Congress. The third feature was closely related to the second. 
It was slavery. Missourians had slaves during the Spanish rule 
and many more slaves were brought here by the American set- 

(62) 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 63 

tiers who came during this territorial period. When Missouri 
petitioned for statehood, the question arose in Congress 
whether Missouri should be admitted as a slave or as a free 
state and whether the rest of the Louisiana country should be 
slave or free. Only after several years of debating in Con- 
gress was this question settled. It was this slavery question 
which delayed Missouri in becoming a state and in entering 
the Union. The last feature was the framing of a state constitu- 
tion and the forming of a state government by Missourians. 
These four features — the laws of Congress, the struggle for 
statehood, slavery, and Missouri's statehood — are the key to 
the period of government in Missouri from 1804 to 1821. 

The Laws of Congress 

Shortly after the purchase of the Louisiana country. Con- 
gress provided by law for its temporary government. This law 
was passed on October 31, 1803. It made little change in the 
old Spanish system of government except to place American 
officials in control. The old divisions of lower and upper 
Louisiana with their capitals at New Orleans and St. Louis 
were not changed. All power was given the President of the 
United States. He appointed Captain Amos Stoddard, of the 
United States Army, commandant of upper Louisiana. Cap- 
tain Stoddard had all civil and military authority, subject to 
the President's direction. This law of 1803 went into effect 
in Missouri when Captain Stoddard took possession of upper 
Louisiana on March 10, 1804. From that day to October 1, 
1804, Missouri really had a military government of occupation. 
This military government as was intended was only temporary. 
It lasted less than seven months. 

After Congress had passed this temporary government 
law, it began considering a more permanent form of govern- 
ment for the Louisiana country. On March 26, 1804^ a new 



64. History of Missouia and Missouri an s 

law was passed, which went into effect on October 1, 1804. 
This law of 1804 divided the Louisiana Purchase country into 
two parts as had the Spanish, but these two parts were now 
made separate and independent of each other. The boundary 
line between them was what is to-day the southern boundary of 
Arkansas. The south part was called the Territory of Orleans, 
and its capital was New Orleans. The north part was called 
the District of Louisiana. Missouri was of course part of the 
District of Louisiana. This District was placed under the 
government of the Territory of Indiana. So Missouri now 
was governed by the governor and judges of the Territory 
of Indiana, who lived in Indiana 165 miles away. It looked 
like Missouri was getting poor treatment from the United 
States. She had no voice in her own government and even 
those who governed her did not live here. 

The people of Missouri at once protested. The law of 
1804 was so unpopular that the people in the five old Spanish 
districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girar- 
deau, and New Madrid, elected delegates to meet in conven- 
tion in St. Louis. Here a petition of protest was drafted 
against the act of 1804 and against the part of that act which 
declared that all Spanish grants of land made after 1800 were 
null and void. A request was then made for a separate terri- 
torial government in Missouri. It requested a governor ap- 
pointed by the President and a legislative council composed of 
the governor and two representatives elected by the people 
from each of the five districts, or counties. It requested the 
right to have a delegate in Congress. Copies of this petition 
were sent to the President and Congress. Another law (un- 
usually called "act") was passed by Congress. This was the 
act of 1805. It gave Missouri a separate territorial govern- 
ment, but of the lowest rank. It provided for a governor and 
three judges all appointed by the President. These four men 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 65 

wert to make the laws. The governor was to have a secretary, 
who was to be the acting governor when the office was vacant. 
This act of 1805 also changed the name of the District to the 
Territory cf Louisiana. It is clear that Missouri received little 
except a separate government and a change of name. No 
delegate to Congress, no self-goveniment, no elected officers, 
no repeal of the law against the Spanish land grants made 
after 1800, were mentioned. Still, Missourians were very 
well pleased with the law of 1805. It was a step forward over 
ihe laws of 1803 and 1804. Excepting the judges and the sec- 
retary, however, it provided a government somewhat similar to 
the old Spanish government, and that was well liked by the 
people. 

This act of 1805 was in force seven years. Under it 
Missouri, as the Territory of Louisiana, had three governors. 
The first was General James Wilkinson. The people disliked 
him and the President removed him after serving trwo years. 
Captain Meriwether Lewis, a very popular man, was appointed 
governor. He also served only two years owing to his death 
in 1809. The last governor of the Territory of Louisiana was 
General Benjajnin Howard. During these seven years another 
man was the acting governor much of this time, although he 
was only the secretary to the governor. This man was the 
young Virginian, Frederick Bates. He was able and popular. 
He later became Missouri's second state governor. 

The population of Missouri increased rapidly during these 
seven years. In 1804 Missouri had 10,350 persons, of whom 
1,500 were slaves. In 1810 Missouri had a population of 
20,845. This was an increase of 100%. Missourians now sent 
petition on petition to Congress requesting more self-govern- 
ment. Early in 1812 the Territory of Orleans became the 
State of Louisiana. The upper Louisiana country was still 
called the Territory of Louisiana. There was, therefore, both 
a state and a territory with the same name. This was confus- 
ing and combined with the Missouri petitions for more self- 



66 History of Missouri and Missourians 

government, gave Congress good cause for passing a new law 
for Missouri, 

This was the act of 1812. By it, the name "Territory of 
Missouri" was given to tlie Territory of Louisiana. No change 
was made in boundaries. But a change more important than 
name was made by the act of 1812. This was in government, 
by which Missouri was raised to a territory^ of the second rank. 
This change was in the law-making body. A legislature of 
two houses was created. The upper house, called the legis- 
lative council, was appointed by the President ; the lower 
house, called the house of representatives, was elected from 
counties by the people. The people were to have a delegate in 
Congress, who was also to be elected. By this act of 1812 
Missoviri had gained much but not all. Her rank had been ad- 
vanced and her people were to elect one of the lav/-making 
houses and a delegate to represent them in Congress. Missouri 
had also finally received her name. 

In the act of 1812 the name "counties" was mentioned for 
the first time. Down to this time the five old Spanish districts 
had not been changed. Now they became counties. So 
Missouri's first five counties were St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. 
Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid. As population 
increased other counties were formed until to-day Missouri 
has 114 counties and the city of St. Louis. 

Missouri had only two governors under the act of 1812. 
The first was Benjamin Howard, who was also the last 
governor of the Territory of Louisiana. He resigned in 1813 
and was succeeded by General William Clark. Governor Clark 
and Captain Lewis had been the leaders of the famous Lewis 
and Clark expedition of 1804 to the Pacific ocean. Each be- 
came our governor. Clark was an able man, especially in 
handling the Indians. They called him "Red Head," and they 
feared and respected him. 

The act of 1812 was in force eight years, or until 1820. 
During these eight years Missouri had three delegates in Con- 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 67 

gress. The first was Edward Hempstead, the second Rufus 
Eastin, and the last John Scott. All were lawyers and repre- 
sented Missouri well in Congress. Scott later became 
Missouri's first congressman when Missouri became a state. 

The War of 1812 brought Missouri trouble from the Indi- 
ans. It also decreased immigration to Missouri, although it 
did not entirely stop new settlers coming here. When the war 
closed and peace was made in 1815, Missouri's population 
again increased by thousands. Missouri now wanted more 
self-government and Congress passed another law. This was 
the act of 1816. 

By this act the legislative council was made elective. This 
gave Missourians control of their territorial legislature in both 
houses. The governor and judges were still appointed by the 
President. Missouri had now risen to the third or highest 
grade of territorial government. Only statehood itself would 
give her complete self-government. This she now sought. 

Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 

Although Missourians began asking Congress for self- 
government as early as 1804, they did not begin forcing to the 
front the question of absolute self-government, or statehood, 
until 1817. In this year they circulated petitions to be sent to 
Congress in which was requested permission for Missouri to 
become a state. These petitions were presented in Congress in 
1818 by Missouri's territorial delegate, John Scott. A bill per- 
mitting Missouri to form a constitution and a state government 
was introduced in Congress, but it did not became a law. In 
the fall of 1818 the Missouri Territorial Legislature petitioned 
Congress for statehood. Congress again took up the matter. 
This time a new subject was considered. It was slavery. Some 
of the congressmen from the northern states wanted to restrict 
slavery in Missouri. A few of the northern congressmen and 
all of the southern congressmen opposed placing any slavery 
restriction on Missouri. All of them knew that slavery had 



68 History of Missouri and Missourians 

always existed in Missouri but the northern congressmen 
wanted to see it gradually abolished before they would vote for 
Missouri's statehood. The southern congressmen thought that 
such a restriction on Missouri was unfair and illegal. They 
said that Missourians and not congressmen had the right to 
decide the question of slavery in the proposed new state. All 
during the winter of 1818-19 Congress debated the Missouri 
question back and forth. Feeling ran high over the nation. 

In Alissouri the people were indignant and angry at the 
interference of Congress in attempting to impose restrictions 
on slavery. Public meetings were held throughout the Territory. 
Speeches were made. Resolutions of protest against the pro- 
posed action of Congress wei-e adopted. The people of Miss- 
ouri felt that they and they alone had the right to decide on 
slavery. They also felt that Congress should not delay longer 
in permitting Missourians to form a state constitution and a 
state government. Some even went so far as to threaten 
forming a state government in the near future if Congress did 
not give them permission. 

When Congress met again in December 1819, the Missouri 
statehood bill was taken up for final settlement. The debates 
were just as bitter as before. Finally a compromise was 
agreed upon. This is known in history as the Missouri Com- 
promise. A law was adopted on March 6, 1820, which gave 
Missouri permission to form a state constitution and a state 
government without any restriction on slavery. This is called 
the Missouri Enabling Act, The act of 1820 had other pro- 
visions in it. It set forth the boundaries of Missouri as they 
are to-day, excepting the Platte Purchase country, which was 
added in 1836. It gave the new state. United States public 
lands for public schools, a state university, and a seat of 
government. This act also provided, and this is the important 
part of the Missouri Compromise, that slavery was prohibit- 
ed in all of the Louisiana Purchase country north of 36° 30' 
(the southern boundary of Missouri) excepting the proposed 
State of Missouri. 



llissouRi's Stru(;(:;le for Statehood 



69 




a'MMKY OV MISSOURI AS FIRST 

sui;c;i:sTicD'iN 1817 

I ■• 111 M>..nk'. l/,.t „j Mn . I i. 




U)L'M)Ak\(j| MISSOURI AS SUGGIiSTbiD UYTHli 

tl;i<ritoki,\l liigislaturi- in isi8. 

r-'iom H..uck'» Hut. of .1/0., I ;; 




"IM>\RVUI- MISSOURI AS ADoni.n HY 
a)\(;RK8S I\ iHio. 

I-ruin lloiick's fTiu. 0/ Mo., I. 6. 




H()UNDAR\ (M'- MISSOURI WITH Till-. I'l.AITI- 

purchasl; addkd 

From Houck's //iu. oj Mo., I. 12 



BOUNDARIES OF MISSOURI 



*jO History of Missouri and Missourians 

The News Reaches Missouri 

The Missouri Enabling Act was passed on March 6, 1820. 
On March 21st a special messenger from Washington reached 
Jackson, Missouri, and four days later he entered St. Louis. 
Missouri was now to become a state. Self-government had 
finally won. The day and night were given over to celebration. 
Candles were lighted and placed in the front windows. St. 
Louis was celebrating in true pioneer style. Over the territory 
the news spread. It was a joyous time in old Missouri. The 
St. Louis Enquirer, the second newspaper in Missouri, issued 
an extra. 

The.First State Constitution, 1820 

An election was called in May to elect delegates to a con- 
stitutional convention. Forty-one of Missouri's most eminent 
men were selected. These have been called "The Fathers of 
the State." They met in St. Louis on Jime 12, 1820, and 
adjourned on July 19th. In the dining room of the old Man- 
sion House Hotel in St. Louis a constitution was framed 
and adopted. Thus, Missouri, the State, was born in a tavern. 
The constitution was similar to the constitutions of Kentucky 
and Illinois. It was never submitted to the people. It served 
Missouri for forty-five years. 

Missouri's first constitution was a strong one. It was 
brief, containing only about nine thousand words. Missouri's 
present constitution has about thirty thousand words. The 
former laid down only general principles of government and 
did not go into details. The government it provided for 
Missouri was similar to our present state government except 
that the judges and a number of officials were to be appointed 
instead of elected and that the legislature had more powers. 
The total cost of this constitution, including pay of the dele- 
gates, was only $8,000. These forty-one "Fathers of the 
State" did their work well. 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood n\ 




DAVID BARTON 



72 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Some of these forty-one delegates were truly reniaknble 
men. Among them were men who became United States 
senators, governors, and state supreme court judges. The 
president of the convention was David Barton, an able lawyer 
and orator. He was one of Missouri's first United States 
senators. Other men who became well known and who did 
mos't to frame the constitution were John Rice Jones, Duff 
Green, Edward Bates, Henry Dodge, John D. Cook, Jonathan 
S. Findlay, Alexander McNair, and John Scott. 

The First State Election, August 1820 

After the constitution was adopted, an election was 
ordered for electing a congressman, governor, lieutenant 
governor, state senators, and representatives. This elec- 
tion was held in August. The campaign was spirited. The 
newspapers carried campaign articles and the men running for 
office made speeches. Alexander McNair, of St. Louis, was 
elected governor; William H. Ashley, lieutenant governor; and 
John Scott, congressman. There were no opposing political 
parties. Each voted for the man he liked best. Political 
parties came later in Missouri. 

The First State Government, 1820 

In September the General Assembly of Missouri (the leg- 
islature) met in St. Louis in the Missouri Hotel. Governor 
McNair and Lieutenant Governor Ashley took the oath of 
office. One of the most important things to do was to elect 
Missouri's two United States senators. In those days the 
Legislature did this. David Barton and Thomas H. Beaton 
were elected. Barton was popular and he was easily elected. 
He worked hard for Benton. Although Benton became 
Missouri's greatest senator and statesman, his first election 
was close. One of his supporters in the Legislature was Daniel 
Ralls, who was sick in his room. When the votes were being 
•cast four stout negroes carried Ralls on his bed into the legis- 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 



73 




MISSOURI'S CAPITOLS 



74 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



lative hall. Ralls cast his vcbe for Benton and died shortly 
after. In his honor Ralls county was named. 

At this session of the Legislature a number of laws were 
made among which was one regarding the seat of government, 
or the capital of Missouri. St. Charles was made the tempor- 
ary capital until 1826. The permanent capital was to be located 
by a commission and was to be somewhere within forty miles 
of the mouth of the Osage river. What is to-day Jeffer- 
son City was finally selected. State officers and judges were 
appointed by Governor McNair and were approved by the 
Senate, taxes were provided for, and laws relating to different 
matters were passed. Early in December 1820 the Legislature 
adjourned. The old territorial government had passed away 
and. the new state government was in operation. Missouri 
with her 66,000 people was a state in all respects except one — 
she had not yet been admitted by Congress into the Union. 
This was not done until August 10, 1821, a year and twenty- 
two days after Missouri had adopted her first State Constitu- 
tion. 

Admission Into the Union, August 10, 1821 

When John Scott, David Barton and Thomas Benton, 
Missouri's congressman and two United States senators, ar- 
rived in Washington, they expected to take their seats as rep- 
resentatives of the State of Missouri. They were told Uiat the 
old Missouri question was again smouldering and for them to 
wait until it was settled. This time Congress, or rather part of 
Congress, found fault with Missouri's constitution. It con- 
tained a clause commanding the Legislature to pass laws pre- 
venting free negroes from coming into Missouri. This clause- 
was denounced by some congressmen as contrary to the Con- 
stitution of the United States. y\gain there was bitter debat- 
ing. Finally, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, effected a compro- 
mise. Congress passed a law in 1821 on the matter. This law 
provided that when the Missouri Legislature by a solemn pub- 



Missouri's Struggle for Statehood 75 

lie act stated that it would not enforce this clause in the con- 
stitution so as to deprive United States citizens of their rights 
and would send a copy of this solemn public act to the Presi- 
dent, then the President could admit Missouri into the Union 
by proclamation. 

The Missouri Legislature met in special session in Jime 
1821 in St. Charles. It passed the solemn public act and sent 
a copy to the President of the United States, James Monroe. 
On August 10, 1821, President Monroe issued a proclamation 
admitting Missouri into the Union as the twenty-fourth state. 
Missouri's struggle for statehood had ended. Before this, how- 
ever, Scott, Barton, and Benton had already taken their seats 
in Congress and all three drew their pay from the beginning of 
that session of Congress. The solemn public act of the 
Missouri Legislature was not legally binding, since no legisla- 
ture can say what another legislature may or may not do. The 
constitution of Missouri governs the legislature. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What were the four outstanding features in Missouri history- 
following the Louisiana Purchase? 

2. Compare the temporary military government in 1804 with the 
new law which was passed in 1804. 

3. What did the people ask in their protest? 

4. To what extent did Congress meet their demands? 

5. Who were the three governors of the Territory of Louisiana? 

6. State the increase of population during these seven years? 

7. What do you understand by the "Territory of Missouri?" 

8. Trace the steps in self government in the Missouri territory 
from 1805 to 1816. 

9. When the Territory of Missouri petitioned Congress for state- 
hood what great issue arose? 

10. What were the provisions of the Missouri Enabling Act? 

11. After the passage of the Missouri Enabling Act what was Mis- 
souri's first need? 

12. How did the adoption of the constitution of 1820 differ from 
the adoption of a present constitution? 



76 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



13. Briefly compare the constitution of 1820 with our present con- 
stitution. 

14. Describe the personnel of the first constitutional convention. 

15. Contrast the election of 1820 with a present day election. 

16. How did the election of Missouri's first United States sena- 
tors differ from the election of her senators to-day? 

17. Explain the selection of Missouri's permanent capital. 

18. What was the solemn public act? 



Chapter III 

LIFE OF THE PEOPLE, 18(M-1821 

Population and Settlements 

The territorial period of Missouri's history brought 
changes more important than those in government. Some of 
these changes had their beginning when the Americans came 
during the latter Spanish period. The territorial period simply 
gave opportunity for their more rapid growth. Such, for ex- 
ample, were the increase in population and the development of 
settlements. Other changes, however, were new. Among 
these, for example, were changes in education, religion, 
journalism, and transportation. Although this period may 
seem at first like an overturning of evei^thing that had existed 
before, such was not the case. Missouri history is like a story. 
No part can be well understood without knowing the part be- 
fore. Every chapter is connected with the whole. So during 
this territorial period when the foundations of our state were 
laid, it is seen that all present actions were related to those 
of the past. 

This is especially clear regarding population and settle- 
ments. In 1804 Missouri's population was about 10,000 of 
which 1,500 were slaves. In 1820 Missouri had increased to 
66,000 of which 10,000 were slaves. It was this large increase 
which gave reason to Missouri's request for statehood. Where 
did these thousands of new settlers come from? They came 
principally from Kentucky, Virginia, Maiyland, the two 
Carolinas, and Tennessee. Some came from southern Illinois, 
Indiana, and Ohio ; some from Pennsylvania ; and a few from 
New York and the New England states. The l;irge majority, 
however, came from the southern states mentioned, and they 
brought with them their slaves. While in 1804 Missouri's 
white population was about half P'rench and half American, in 



78 History of Missouri and Missourians 

1820 there were seven or eight Americans to every Frenchman. 
Although this shows a remarkable American immigration to- 
Missouri, the real beginning of this dates from 1795. What 
brought these thousands of American settlers to Missouri?' 
It was that which brought the first Americans — cheap land. 

As population increased old settlements grew and new set- 
tlements were made. The latter took most of the new immi- 
grants. Being Americans they pushed farther and farther into 
the interior, where good land in large tracts could be easily 
obtained. Over half of them settled along the Missouri river 
from St. Charles to . the western border and along the 
Mississippi from St. Louis to the northern border. The 
Boone's Lick country in central Missouri around what is to-day 
Howard county, attracted many. Here new settlements of 
size appeared, the most important being Franklin, opposite 
Boonville. Franklin was founded in 1817 and in 1820 had a 
population of 1,000. It was the second largest town in 
Missouri. Within ten years the Missouri river washed it away. 
The Salt river country, north of St. Charles, attracted many. 
Settlements also thrived back of the Mississippi river counties 
south of St. Louis. Even in soutliwest Missouri settlers ap- 
peared, especially around Springfield. Many of the new immi- 
grants settled in the older settlements so that all except the 
New Madrid district increased in population. St. Louis grew 
fast. Its population of 1,000 in 1804 increased to 5,000 by 
1820. It was Missouri's largest and most important city. 

The few old Spanish districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, 
Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid became 
counties in 1812. By 1821 there were twenty-five Missouri 
counties. All of them were along the Missouri or the 
Mississippi except three. These three were Washington, 
Madison, and Wayne, which were just back and west of the 
Mississippi river counties lying south of St. Louis. 

Although Missouri was growing fast, she was still a 
pioneer district with pioneer conditions. Her settlements were 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 yn 

nearly all along the rivers. Her prairie sections had not been 
settled. In 1820 there was only one person to every square 
mile. 

The New Madrid Earthquake, 1811-1812 

The only district which decreased in population during the 
territorial period was the New Madrid country. This decrease 
was due to an earthquake which began in December 1811 and 
continued in severity for several months. Before this time, 
however, the district had not been growing fast. Much of the 
land was too swampy for farming. The trade with the Indians 
had declined when the Indians moved away. So when the 
earthquake came, many of tlie settlers were glad to leave. 

The earthquake itself was the most violent and destructive 
natural disturbance which ever came to Missouri. Arkansas, 
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri were effected, but the cen- 
ter of the shocks was in southeast Missouri. Here the earth 
shook violently. Some land was raised so that river beds stood 
above the water. Other land was lowered so that new river 
beds and lakes were formed. In parts of the country cracks 
in the earth were made seven hundred feet long and thirty 
feet wide. Trees were torn up and houses were wrecked. 
Well did the poor settler call it "The Big Shake". Many 
homes were ruined and much land made useless for farming. 
Certainly, the people had reason for their terror and fright. 
Many decided to seek new homes. Some had little left and 
their condition was desperate. 

Relief came but too late to help most of the real sufferers. 
Congress in 1816 passed a law permitting those having dam- 
aged New Madrid land to exchange it for an equal amount of 
public land elsewhere. All that was necessary was to make 
claim and show title to damaged land. Congress had been 
liberal but it had been too slow. Many had already sold their 
damaged land for almost nothing. Even after the law w^as 
passed, speculators got most of its benefit by buying the claims 



8o History of Missouri and Missourians 

from ignorant holders. Many of the New Madrid people set- 
tled on public land in the Boone's Lick country and around 
St. Louis. The New Madrid district was long retarded in 
growth by the effects of this earthquake. To-day great im- 
provement is being made by draining the land. Most of the 
soil is very fertile, and grows large yields of cotton, corn, or 
wheat. 

Indian Troubles and the War of 1812 

Although Missouri never had big wars with the Indians, 
she suffered much from Indian attacks. As late as 1812 
Missouri's settlers feared to make homes very far from the 
older settlements because of attacks and thefts by roving bands 
of Indians. A few settlers had gone as far north as what is 
to-day Hannibal and as far west, up the Missouri river, as the 
Boone's Lick country. Two sons of Daniel Boone had boiled 
salt in Howard county and on their return had told of the fine 
country in central Missouri. Benjamin Cooper led a few 
settlers to the new district and by 1812 there were several 
hundred. Then came the War of 1812 between England and 
the United States. England tried to arouse the Indians, giving 
them presents, guns, and ammunition. She did this both east 
and west of the Mississippi. The Indians on the east side 
went on the war-path, but, fortunately for Missouri, only a 
few of the Indians on the west side waged war. These were 
the Sacs and Foxes, Missouris, and Miamis (a small tribe) in 
north Missouri. Even these were not organized under one 
leader but fought in separate bands. 

The old Missouri settlements were in no danger, but the 
frontier settlers widely scattered up the Mississippi and the 
Missouri were in daily peril. They built small two-story forts 
of heavy logs and made loop-holes for their rifles. Sometimes 
they built a heavy log fence, called a stockade, around the fort 
and several cabins. The settlers continued to farm but they 
carried their rifles with them. On news of Indians, they hur- 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 8 1 

ried to the fort. Some settlers were killed, however, and many 
homes were destroyed and much property stolen. Conditions 
were so dangerous that immigration stopped to these frontier 
settlements. The Missouri militia was called out. General 
Henry Dodge of Ste. Genevieve led part of the militia to cen- 




SURRENDER OF THE MIAMIS TO GEN. DODGE 

tral Missouri and forced the Miamis to surrender. The Dela- 
wares and the Shawnees in southeast Missouri, unlike the 
other Indians, helped the whites. When the war closed in 
1814, the Indian attacks ended. 

This Indian warfare against the whites was caused not 
only by English persuasion but more largely by the Indian's 
hatred of the white settler taking up land. The Indian fre- 
quently owned this land and had never given it to the whites 
by treaty. To settle this matter, a big meeting was held near 
St. Charles in June, 1815, between Governor William Clark 



82 History of Missouri and Missourians 

and the Indians. The Sacs and Foxes, who had given the 
most trouble, gave up part of their Missouri land, and the 
Osages gave up nearly all of their Missouri land. Other 
treaties were made later until in 1833 the Indian title was ex- 
tinguished in Missouri except in the Platte country, which was 
ceded in 1836. 

The Economic Life of the People, 1804-1821 

Men make a living in different ways. Some produce food, 
they are called fanners. Some produce metals, they are called 
miners. Others make things to use, they are called artisans or 
skilled workman like the carpenter, shoemaker, or blacksmith. 
Others buy and sell things or trade one thing for another, they 
are called merchants or traders. Bankers are men who trade 
only in credit and money. Then there are men who make a 
living by giving you advice and instruction, as the doctor, 
lawyer, preacher, and teacher. Such men are called profes- 
sional men. These ways of making a living relate to the 
economic life of a people. Man could not exist without the 
things which concern his economic life. To know the history 
of Missourians it is necessary to know their economic life. 

During the French and Spanish periods of Missouri 
histoiy, the economic life of our people was simple although 
just as important as it was later. It was simple in relating to 
very few things. Men farmed, mined lead, boiled salt, hunted 
and trapped wild animals for food and furs, and traded with 
the Indians for furs. This was their economic life. Each 
part of this life was simple. Man farmed to produce food for 
his family and not to sell to others. Men mined lead by dig- 
ging shallow holes and melting the ore by an open wood fire. 
Wild animals close at home were trapped for furs, for 
Missouri was a wilderness. Indians brought their furs down 
stream to the Mississippi river settlements and there traded 
them for the things they needed or wanted. Everything was 
simple. As population increased, this simple economic life be- 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 85 

gan to change. Some of these changes were seen during the 
territorial period. 

F'arming which was the main industry grew fast. The 
majority of the new settlers were farmers. Being Americans 
they had large farms, from which it was easy to raise more 
grain and live stock than was needed. Each farmer needed 
such articles as tools, harness, and certain household necessi- 
ties. He traded his farm products for these. The slaves in 
Missouri in 1804 numbered 1,500; in 1820 they numbered 
over 10,000. This meant more workers. Their owners were 
farmers who lived better than the small farmers. They also 
produced more on the farm than they needed and so they 
bought more for their homes. The success of the farmers 
meant success for the people in town as the merchant, artisan, 
and professional man. The farmer's main trouble was trans- 
portation. He still depended on the streams and used the flat 
boat and other kinds of boats for getting to and from market. 
When the steamboat came, it was a great improvement. Even 
before this, however, roads were being built. Gradually the 
farmer was getting in closer touch with the outside world. 

The settling of the country and the success of the farmer, 
meant the growth of old towns and the founding of new towns. 
Here were the stores and shops, the merchants and the traders. 
The merchants increased in number. Some of them were 
wealthy. In St. Louis the French, although out-numbered by 
the Americans, were still the leaders in business. They were 
also the wealthiest class. The American ways of doing busi- 
ness were being adopted. Both French and English were 
spoken on the streets of St. Louis. In the interior towns like 
Franklin, the merchants were all Americans and spoke only 
English. The stores carried a variety of goods including hard- 
ware, dry goods, drugs, and groceries. The main articles sold 
were guns, shot, and powder ; traps, and tools ; calicoes and 
thin cloth for dresses; quinine, calomel, and patent medicines; 
salt, sugar, coffee, tea, and spices. The main things bought 



$4 History of Missouri and Missourians 

from the famier and trapper were beeswax and honey; cured 
meats and salt pork; butter and lard; hides and tallow; wheat 
and some vegetables. Prices were high for goods but were 
never more than fair for what the farmer sold. In times of 
boom and prosperity, the farmer received much more for his 
produce than in times of depressions and panic. This was also 
true of farm land and town property. 

Beginning in 1804 Missouri had about 14 years of pros- 
perity. These were boom times. Land near the old settle- 
ments rose in value to $8 an acre before the War of 1812. 
During the war, there was no immigration and land prices 
stood still. After peace was declared, immigration again set 
in and from 1815 to 1818 Missouri had a boom that sent land 
as high as $10 an acre. Then came the depression and hard 
times in 1819. Land prices went down over 50% and land 
sold lower than it had ten years before. There was still plenty 
of land to be purchased at $1.25 an acre but this land lay at 
some distance beyond or back from the settlements. As it be- 
came settled it rose in price according to location and soil. 
There were land speculators in those days. They helped to 
make the boom and they also helped to make hard times. 
Many bought land cheap and sold at high prices. They be- 
came wealthy. Others thinking that land prices would go 
higher, paid too much and lost everything. 

There was little metal money in those days and people 
did not need much. Furs were used as money at the trading 
posts, a beaver or a deer skin being used in place of money. 
Lead and tobacco were also used. Nearly all business was 
done by barter or exchange. A farmer would sell a dozen 
cured hams to a merchant and take it out in sugar or other 
merchandise. Business was carried on this way. Taxes and 
land had to be paid for in money, but taxes were low and 
government land was cheap. There were some Spanish silver 
dollars in circulation and these were cut in halves, quarters, 
and eighths. An eighth part, or 12^ cents, was called a "hit." 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 



85 




85 IlisioKY Oh Missouri and Missoukians 

A quarter, or 25 cents, was called "two bits." Although the 
people usually did not need much money, in hard times they 
felt the need badly. Later when business grew and the State 
became more widely settled, the need for more money was 
greater. 

There were no banks until the latter half of the territorial 
period. Two were organized in St. Louis, the center of 
Missouri's trade and business. Both of these failed, the last in 
1822. Missouri did not have another bank of her own until 
1837 when the State itself established one. Both of the early 
St. Louis banks were formed during the post-war boom times 
when prices were high and people were speculating. These 
banks issued paper money which they promised to pay in coin. 
They also loaned money. When the panic of 1819 came the 
banks could not get their borrowers to pay back these loans 
and the banks could not, therefore, get coin to pay for its own 
paper money. Everybody needed money to pay debts and 
taxes, but nobody could get money for the things he sold. 
Many people lost their property. The two banks failed be- 
cause they were caught in the decline of prices. 

Not only did farmers and merchants increase during these 
years, and bankers appear, but Missouri also saw professional 
men settling here. Among these were lawyers, doctors, sur- 
veyors, preachers, and teachers. Before this Missouri had a 
few professional men including priests but no Protestant 
preachers, and perhaps only one or two lawyers and teachers. 
Many of these now appeared. An American lawyer could be 
found in any town and in St. Louis by 1821 there were over a 
score. Most of these were able men who knew the law. There 
were many lawsuits and these gave employment to the lawyers. 
They also became politicians and soon controlled the public 
offices. There were not yet .many doctors or teachers, but 
surveyors and preachers increased. Both preachers and teach- 
ers were poorly paid, and most of the preachers received little 



LiFi. OF THE People, 1804-1821 87 

more than their hving. All of these professional men did great 
service. Their life was hard and few of them were slackers. 

The Americans brought the hotel to Missouri. These 
hotels were called taverns. They were found in every town 
and served both bed and board and old time hospitality at a 
reasonable price. The tavern keeper was a man of wide 
acquaintance and experience. Many are the stories told of 
these old taverns. Some of these taverns became noted over 
Missouri and one at Arrow Rock in Saline county has Been 
preser\'ed to this day because of its interesting history. 

Another industry that grew rapidly at this time was lead 
mining. The old mines were better worked and new ones 
were opened. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of lead were 
mined. The Americans adopted new methods for melting the 
lead and built more modern furnaces. Some of the lead used 
by the United States in the War of 1812 was mined here and 
the famous battle of New Orleans was won with Missouri lead. 
It has been said that even in the Revolutionary War Missouri 
lead was used. 

With the American lawyer and preacher came the journal- 
ist, or newspaper editor. The first Missouri newspaper was 
The Missouri Gazette, established in St. Louis in 1808. Its 
founder was Joseph Charles, a native of Ireland who had be- 
come an American. In 1817 The St. Louis Enquirer was 
established. The third paper was The Missouri Intelligencer 
and Boone's Lick Advertiser at Franklin, Missouri, founded in 
1819. In 1820 two more newspapers were established in 
Missouri, one in St. Charles and one in Jackson. The Mis- 
souri editor played an important part in Missouri history, 
especially in politics and education. A free press is necessary 
to a free state. 

Excepting farming, the greatest growth and development 
was in the fur business. The fur trade and the Santa Fe trade 
are so important and are so closely related to Missouri's 
explorations of the West that they will form a large part of 
the next chapter. 



88 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Transportation also developed and improved in Missouri 
during these years. The government established post roads 
for the mail. There were laid out to connect all the settle- 
ments. They were improvements over the old forest trails. 
The greatest improvement, however, was on water. This was 
the coming of the steamboat in 1817. Before this, river trans- 
portation had been by canoe, mackinaw or flatboat, bull boat, 
and keel boat. The canoe was usually hollowed out of a 
Cottonwood log. The bull boat was larger than the canoe and 
was made of buffalo bull hides sewed and stretched over a 
willow frame, the seams being filled with tallow. Being light 
and large it was the best boat for shallow streams and could 
be propelled either by oars or poles. The flat boat was made 
of timber. Its ends were not pointed and its bottom was flat. 
Oars and poles were used with it. For down-stream transpor- 
tation it was good but not for up-stream. The mackinaw was 
similar to the flat boat but it had pointed ends. The keel boat 
was the largest boat and carried large cargoes. Oars and poles 
were used widi it and in addition sails and cordelle. The cor- 
delle was a long rope. One end was tied to the top of a mast 
on the boat. Men on shore took the other end and pulled the 
boat up-stream. It moved fast down-stream but up-stream it 
averaged only fifteen miles a day. Down-stream the cordelle 
was not used. The keel boat was used even after the steam- 
boat came. The keel boats were usually .made in Pittsburg 
and cost between $2,000 and $3,000. 

The steamboat was to the river what the railroad was to 
the land. It provided cheaper and quicker transportation. 
The first steamboat reached St. Louis in 1817. It was called 
the Zebulon M. Pike, after the famous explorer. Two years 
later the steamboat, Independence, went up the Missouri river 
as far as Franklin. Steamboat traffic on both rivers had now 
begim. It made travel easier and quicker. It helped greatly 
to develop the country' along the rivers. It also carried to 
market the trapper's furs, the farmer's cattle and grain, and 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 



89 




90 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



the meixhant's goods. For fifty years the steamboat on water 
and the wagon on land were the two great means of transpor- 
tation in Missouri. 




FinST BOAT BUILT ON THE WESTERN WATERS, 1812, 



Social, Educational and Religious Life of the People, 

1804-1821 

The social life of the people changed during this period. 
Some of the changes were bad and some were good. This was 
partly because criminals and rough men came to Missouri as 
well as settlers. The easy life in the old French villages 
passed. During the Spanish rule strict order had been main- 
tained. Now order was relaxed. The sale of liquor was 
allowed without restriction in tavern and store. Gambling 
was comjTion and open. Profanity was also common. Sunday 
was little observed. It was the best trading day of the week. 
It also was a day of amusement. Nearly every man went 



Life ok the Feoi-le, 1804-1821 gj 

armed with either pistol or knife. Fighting was common 
among the lower classes and duels among the professional 
classes. The Indians were frequently mistreated and they in 




WKRSmi' IN THE WOODS 

turn took revenge on the whites. Speculation prevailed among 
all classes. This was the bad side of the picture. 

Changes for the better were also present. Educated and 
cultured men and women were also among the new settlers, 
and the majority were peaceable, honest, and industrious. The 
professional classes increased and added their influence and 
service toward improving conditions. The preachers and 
teachers devoted their lives to their work. Private schools 



92 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



and a college were established. St. Louis College (laier St. 
Louis University) was founded by the Catholics in 1819. This 
was the first college in Missouri. Many more came later in 
the '30s and '40s. Provision had also been made for a public 
school system in St. Louis. Religious denominations firmly 
established themselves here ; the Catholics already had a strong 
position. Among the Protestants the Baptists, Congrega- 
tionalists, Episcopalians, Methodists, and Presbyterians were 
the first in Missouri to build churches and hold services. 
Even a public library was founded in St. Louis, and some 
citizens who had private libraries were kind enough to lend 
books. The helpful influence of the newspapers was impor- 
tant. The people received education from these as well as 
political news. Another improvement was the postal or mail 
service. Post-routes were laid out over the state and post- 
offices were opened. Deliveries of mail were made once a 
week, sometimes only once in two weeks. During the Spanish 
period the people did not have a public mail service. Now 
they could receive letters and papers from other settlements 
and also from the eastern states. This was a great step 
forward. All of the good changes had their effect in helping 
Missouri. They increased in influence, while many of the 
bad changes gradually lost in influence. A progressive state 
of educated and peaceful people could not be made in a day. At 
first it looked as if the bad elements and the bad habits would 
overpower the good, but as time went on the honest and in- 
dustrious citizens got control. This was what happened in Mis- 
souri. Just as our people progressed in their economic life, 
conquering the wilderness, settling the State, and increasing in 
wealth, so did they progress in their social life in establishing 
churches and schools. 



Life of the People, 1804-1821 93 

Suggestive Questions 

1. State the increase in Missouri's population from 1804 to 1820. 

2. What change in location of settlements came with the great 
American immigration? 

3. Trace the growth of counties to 1821. 

4. What was the effect of the New Madrid earthquake? 

5. What was the effect of the Indian troubles in the War of 1812 
upon the pioneer settlements? 

6. Show how Indian titles were gradually extinguished in Mis- 
souri. 

7. Show how and why with the growth of the farming industry 
in Missouri came an increase in the number of towns. 

8. Explain the financial boom following the War of 1812. 

9. What was the principal medium of exchange at this time? 

10. Give an account of the first banks in Missouri. 

11. Trace the progress that has been made in transportation. 



Chapter IV 

MISSOURIANS THE TRAIL MAKERS AND TRADERS 
OF THE WEST, 1804-1843 

"Missouri was the Pathfinder of the West." 

What the Missouri-French Did Before 1804 

During the French and Spanish periods of Missouri 
history three purposes relating to western trade and commerce 
outside of Missouri had been more or less kept in view. The 
first purpose was the old idea of finding a water route to the 
Pacific ocean. This was not a foolish idea. If such a route 
could be found, it meant a short cut for trading with China 
and India as well as with the Spanish settlements in California. 
This short cut vrould be profitable. After it was learned that 
the Mississippi was not such a route, many thought the Mis- 
souri might prove to be. French expeditions went farther and 
farther up the Missouri until as early as 1734 explorers had 
reached the country of the Dakotas. No further progress was 
made, although the Indians said that only a short distance be- 
yond the source of the Missouri was another river which 
flowed westward to the ocean. The story of the Indians was 
remembered but no one down to 1804 tried to prove it. In the 
meantime the tributaries of the Missouri, especially in Mis- 
souri to the south, were well known and by 1804 all had been 
traversed. 

The second purpose was also an old one but not so old as 
the first. This was the plan of trading with the people of 
Santa Fe. These people were Spaniards and Indians, to-day 
called Mexicans. They had furs, mules, and silver to trade. 
As early as 1703 twenty Canadian-French left Illinois for 
Santa Fe. Later De Bourgmont, founder of Fort Orleans, on 
his expedition to where Kansas City now stands hoped to get 

(94) 



MissouRiANs Open the West g^ 

in touch with the Spaniards. In 1839 the Mallet brothers 
reached Santa Fe by way of the Platte. The Santa Fe trade 
had begun The routes were by way of the Platte through 
Nebraska, then south, then by way of the Arkansas, and then 
south. The hostile Indians made this trade dangerous. 
Although the trade was small compared to its great size after 
Missouri became a state, still it marked a beginning and should 
be remembered. Both Missouri and New Mexico were at this 
time under Spanish officials. Efforts were made both at 
Santa Fe and St. Louis to establish trading relations. In 1792 
the Spanish governor at Santa Fe sent a man, named Vial, to 
open a direct route to St. Louis. Vial did this and his route 
was practically the same as the Santa Fe Trail followed in 
1821. 

The third purpose, relating to western trade outside 
IMissouri before 1804, developed last. This plan was to extend 
the fur trade. The reason it developed last was because Mis- 
souri for years furnished plenty of furs for traders and trap- 
pears. Missouri was rich in fur-bearing animals. Gradually 
the best fur animals in Missouri began to get scarce. If the 
fur trade was to continue profitable, it was necessary to open 
nev- fur territory. The Arkansas field was entered. The in- 
dividual trader or trapper could not with safety go into new 
lands peopled with dangerous savages. So, in 1794 the Span- 
ish lieutenant governor of Missouri, Trudeau, and others 
formed The Missouri' Trading Company. This company was 
not a success. 

The Osages in western Missouri and eastern Kansas had 
a good fur territory but were giving trouble. The Spanish 
lieutenant governor gave Auguste Chouteau permission to 
build a fort on the Osage river. As a result Fort Carondelet 
in Vernon county, Missouri, was erected. Soon a big fur 
trade developed. 

Another man, a Spaniard named Manuel Lisa, was also 
given permission to trade with the Osages. This was in 1802. 



gS History of Missouri and Missourians 

Lisa was a rival of Chouteau, so Chouteau persuaded some of 
the Osages to .move to Arkansas where he also had permission 
to trade. Lisa was an able and shrewd man, and although he 
had failures he never gave up. The question witli him now 
was where to find a new fur countiy. When Lewis and Clark 
returned from the West in 1806, Lisa at once saw that they 
had solved his problem. The upper Missouri country was the 
new fur land. 

The United States Government Points the Way, 
1804-1819 

The Lewis and Clark expedition was the first of four im- 
portant explorations parties which the United States govern- 
ment directed to learn more about this western country. Each 
started from St. Louis and each had Missourians in the party. 

The Lewis and Clark expedition was to explore the upper 
Missouri, cross the Rocky mountains, and reach the Pacific. 
It was to record all important things regarding the new country 
as rivers, Indians, animals, and climate. The leaders were 
Meriwether Lewis, of Virginia, and William Clark, of Ken- 
tucky, Both later became territorial governors of Missouri. 
The expedition left St. Louis in the spring of 1804. It fol- 
lowed the Missouri to its upper waters in Alontana, crossed 
the mountains, and followed the Columbia river to the Pacific. 

The results of this expedition were many. It opened up 
the northwest to the trader and trapper. It gave the United 
States a claim to this northwest country lying beyond the 
Louisiana Purchase. It settled the question of the water route 
to the Pacific. The people now had some idea of the vast 
country lying between the Mississippi and the Pacific. One of 
the first results, however, was to open up a new fur country to 
Missourians. The upper Missouri country in the Dakotas and 
Montana and even beyond were soon to see the Missouri fur 
trader and trapper. 



AIissouRiANS Open the West 



97 




PRESIDENT JEFFERSON CONGRATULATES 
LEWIS AND CLARK 



^8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

In 1805 the Government sent another expedition from St. 
Louis to explore the upper Mississippi. Its commander was 
Zebulon M. Pike. It went up the Mississippi to what is now 
Minnesota and explored carefully the source of that river. 
Like the Lewis and Clark expedition, a careful record was kept 
of everything. 

So well had Pike performed his work that the Govern- 
ment sent him with another expedition in 1806. Pike's second 
expedition was directly west across the plains to the Rocky 
mountains. He was instructed to explore the western and 
southwestern part of the Louisiana Purchase. He went up the 
Missouri and the Osage, then by land westward along the 
Arkansas to the Rocky mountains. In Colorado, Pike dis- 
covered the famous peak which bears his name. He traveled 
south into New Mexico and was captured by the Spaniards 
in 1807. He was taken a prisoner to Santa Fe and then to old 
Mexico. Finally, he was released. On his return he told of 
the great plains and mountains and rivers he had seen, of the 
fur bearing country to the west, and of the fine opportunity 
for trade with the Spaniards and Mexicans. He said that the 
route from Missouri to Santa Fe could be traveled. Alissouri 
traders were soon to pour into the country which Pike had ex- 
plored. Another fur region had been opened. In his account 
of his trip, he called the country lying west of Missouri "The 
Great American Desert". From that time down to 1850 all 
the geographies of the United States called the land west of 
Missouri by that name. 

The last expedition of this period left St. Louis in 1819. 
Its leader was Stephen H. Long. Unlike the others, it w^ent 
up the Missouri in a steamboat. This steamboat, called the 
"Western Emigrant", was the second on the Missouri. At 
one end of the boat was a painted wooden serpent. Through 
the serpent's mouth was run the steam exhaust. This greatly 
frightened the Indians who thought it was a demon. On 
reaching Nebraska, Long followed the South Platte river to 



MissouRiANS Open the West qq 

the mountains. He explored new country and discovered 
Long's Peak. He then reached the Arkansas and returned. 

"The Great American Desert" idea did much to delay the 
settling of Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. People read 
that the country had a bad climate, sterile soil, little or no 
water, buffalo, and hostile Indians. Long said that it would 
ahvays be a desert unfit for white people. Lewis and Clark 
and Pike had also said this, so nobody thought of making this 
country his home. For years everybody thought that Missoun 
would be the most western state. As a result many settled 
here who might have gone farther west had they known of 
the fertile land beyond. 

The good which came from these explorers is clear. They 
not only explored a new country but Ihey did it in an accurate 
way. Their records showed the Missouri fur trader and trap- 
per that a rich field awaited him. From now on the fur trade 
and the Santa Fe trade grew by leaps and bounds until Mis- 
sourians were found in every part of the West, Northwest, 
and Southwest. The Missouri, Columbia, Colorado, Arkansas, 
Red, and Mississippi rivers were now open to trade. 

The Fur Trade, 1804-1860 

For the next half century the fur trade of Missourians 
grew larger and larger. Therefore, it did much to make St. 
Louis and to develop Missouri. Together with lead mining it 
ranked next to agriculture in importance. It was largely be- 
cause of the money Missourians received fro,m furs, lead, and 
the Santa Fe trade, that our people did not suffer like others 
during panics. The fur trade during these years differed in 
two respects from the fur trade during the Spanish period 
The trade was now largely carried on by organized companies, 
although there still were many individual traders. These 
companies could do things that the small trader could not do. 
A bad trip or two ruined an individual, but a company of 
wealthy men could stand such a loss. The second difference 



lOO History of Missouri and Missourians 

was the great extent of country covered. Not only Missouri 
and Arkansas but all to the west, northwest and southwest, 
even to the Pacific, became trapping ground. Thousands of 
while men as well as the Indians were now gathering furs over 
an area half as large as the entire United States. Part of the 
trade went to the big English fur companies, especially in the 
Northwest, but Missouri received the bulk and St. Louis be- 
came the raw fur center of the world. It is not too much to 
say that St. Louis was founded on furs. 

The first fur company in Missouri was the Missouri 
Trading Company founded about 1794 during the Spanish 
period. It was not a success either on the upper Mississippi 
or the upper Missouri. It built only temporaiy forts or sta- 
tions in the fur country and tlie Indians could easily destroy 
them. Again, it sold its goods too high. As a result, the Indi- 
ans traded with the English, who had cheaper goods. When 
Louisiana became part of the United States the trader himself 
could get his goods cheaper and hence he could sell cheaper. 

During the period from 1804 to 1860, there were four 
large fur companies operating from Missouri. When Lewis 
and Clark in 1806 described the country they had explored, the 
Spanish fur trader Manual Lisa at once saw an opportunity to 
develop a rich fur trade on the upper Missouri. In 1807 he 
made his first expedition there. Instead of building temporary 
forts, he built permanent forts, which he kept open for trading. 
On his return to St. Louis he organized the Missiouri Fur 
Company. This was in 1808, the same year that Joseph Char- 
less founded Missouri's first newspaper. The Missouri Gacctte. 
Both the company and the newspaper did much for Missouri. 
Although Charless was an Irishman and Lisa was a Spaniard, 
they were much alike in one thing — both were fighters and 
neither admitted defeat. 

The Missouri Fur Company had bad luck at first. The 
Blackfeet Indians of Montana fought it bitterly and success- 
fully. In 1812 the Company was re-organized, and Lisa be- 



MissouRiANS Open the West lol 

came the principal member. It became more prosperous after 
the war but declined again on the death of Lisa in 1820. Ten 
years later the company disbanded. It did a great work on the 
upper Missouri and for two decades was the most important 
fur coanpany in St. Louis. Lisa was its soul. So active was 
this man that in thirteen years he made at least twelve trips up 
the Missouri, and no trip was less than 670 miles. 

Two years after the death of Lisa, the second great Mis- 
souri fur company was founded in St. Louis. This was the 
Rocky Mountain Fur Company. Its leader was William Henry 
Ashley, who became one of the most successful fur traders in 
our history. Around him were such noted traders and trap- 
pers as Andrew Henry, Jedediah S. Smith, William L. Sublett, 
and Jim Bridger. This company lived only twelve years, from 
l822 to 1834, but during this time it accomplished much. 

The first two expeditions, which went to the upper Mis- 
souri in the Yellowstone country, were failures because of In- 
dian attacks. It now gave up the Missouri river trade. In 
1824 a band of Ashley's men went up the Platte to the Rockies, 
then through the South Pass in Wyoming into the great Utah 
Basin around Great Salt Lake. Here was a new territory, 
rich in furs and never before touched by a fur company. Ash- 
ley decided to abandon Lisa's idea of permanent trading posts 
because of the expense and danger. He adopted the new idea 
of having all the trappers meet him once a year at a set place, 
or rendezvous. Here he collected the furs and shipped them to 
St. Louis. Ashley did another new thing. Since he did not 
have rivers all the way to carry his furs and since die Platte 
river was loo shallow for boats, Ashley adopted the horse and 
mule pack trains. From now on the Rocky Mountain Fur 
Company was successful and Ashley became w^ealthy. In 1825 
he opened a shorter route to the Utah Basin, called the Platte 
river trail. About 1830 he sold out to Jedediah Smith and two 
of his former partners. 



I02 History of Missouri and Missoukians 




MissouRiANs Open the West 



103 



Ashley had lived in Missouri since 1802. He was a native 
of Virginia. During the territorial period he took an active 
part in various businesses. In 1820 he was elected Missouri's 
first lieutenant governor and in 1822 was head of the Missouri 
militia. After retiring wealthy from the fur business, he went 
into politics, where he did great service. Although he was a 
W hig and most Missourians were Democrats, Ashley was our 
congressman from 1831 to 1836. He died in 1839 and his 
grave is in Cooper county. 

Jedediah Smith, who was prominent in The Rocky Moun- 
tain Fur Company, also did much for the West. He determ- 
ined to find a new overland route to the Pacific. In 1826 he 
found a southwest route over the Rockies, down Virgin river 
and across the Mojave Desert to San Diego, in southern Cali- 
fornia. He returned by way of Nevada. Two years later he 
led another party to California and then traveled by land north 
to the Columbia river. There is little wonder that a company 
of such daring men succeeded. 

This company was remarkable in other ways than the 
methods it used to gather and transport furs. It explored the 
Rock)' Mountains from Colorado west, northwest, and south- 
west to the Pacific. It discovered Great Salt Lake and the 
South Pass over the Rockies. It opened the Platte river trail 
to Great Salt Lake, the trail from Great Salt Lake to San 
Diego, and several other western routes. It was the first to 
cross the Sierras, the deserts of Utah and Nevada, and to 
travel by land from California to the Columbia. It trained 
scores of men who later became valuable as scouts and guides 
to the exploring parties and armies sent out by the United 
States government. By its activity it opened the richest fur 
district in America. This was done in the short time of twelve 
years. 

The third fur company in Missouri was a branch of the 
great American Fur Company, owned by John Jacob Astor, 
This was a New York company and operated all over the 



lOA History of Missouri and Missourians 

United States. Its St. Louis branch was established in 1822. 
It was opposed by all Missouri fur traders. Astor decided to 
crush as many of his rivals as possible and to buy out the 
others. Astor already controlled the fur trcide to the north- 
east and determined to control the trade of the west and north- 
west. He gradually crushed or bought out his rivals and gain- 
ed control of the upper Missouri and tlie Utah Basin business. 
He was always hated by the trappers since he had a monopoly 
on the trade. In 1834 Astor died and the great western estab- 
lishment at St. Louis was sold. 

The buyers were a group of St. Louis merchants and 
traders, called Pratte, Chouteau and Company. Other 
companies were still in the field but from tliis time on the firm 
of Pratte, Chouteau and Company controlled the fur trade un- 
til 1860. It did a large business and brought much wealth to 
Missouri. Its directors were keen business men of experience 
and wealth. They were largely French. After 1860 the fur 
trade declined but in recent years it has become important and 
St. Louis is again the raw fur center of the world. 

The Missouri-Santa Fe Trade, 1812-1870 

The Missouri-Santa Fe Trade is closely related to the 
western fur trade. Both were controlled by Missourians. Both 
reached their most prosperous years about the same time and 
both declined about the same time. Both had their beginning 
in St. Louis, although the first successful trading trips to 
Santa Fe were made by men from central and western Mis- 
souri at Franklin, Lexington, Independence and Westport 
Landing, now Kansas City. However, during later years the 
St. Louis merchant traders had large interests in tlie Santa Fe 
trade. Both had small and unsuccessful beginnings, both 
started with the individual trader, and both ended with the 
large trader or company in control. The Santa Fe trade was 
at first a branch of the fur trade and of the three Santa Fe 
products brought back to Missouri the furs of the beaver and 



MissouRiANS Open the West 



105 



otter were important. The other two products were livestock 

(horses and mules) and silver. 

During- the Spanish and French periods of Missouri 
histor}^ attempts were made to establish trade between New 
Mexico and Missouri by tlie Spanish officials in St. Louis and 
the Spanish in Santa Fe. Some of these attempts succeeded 
and a small trade was begun. Toward the close a route was 
made by the Spaniard Vial and this route later became the 
Santa Fe Trail, \\lien the United States took possession of 
the Louisiana countr}', the Spanish officials in Santa Fe 
changed their policy and tried in every way to prevent ]\Iis- 
sourians from coming to New Mexico. Still some Missourians 
attempted to trade with the Mexicans but they usually failed. 
In 1812 a party of men went to Santa Fe and were arrested. 
Three years later a party of St. Louisians tried to trade with 
the Mexicans and they also were arrested and their goods were 
confiscated. On their return they trapped for fur animals. 

The year of Missouri's admission into the Union, 1821, 
also marked tlie independence of the Mexicans from Spain. 
Missourians thought that now it would be possible to begin a 
trade with Santa Fe and the other towns of New Mexico 
without being arrested and thrown into prison. In the fall of 
1821 William Becknell and a party of men started from 
Franklin, Howard county, with goods for Santa Fe. The ex- 
pedition was successful and made a profit. The next year 
Becknell made his second trip. It was even more profitable, 
making a profit of 200 per cent. From that time down to the 
'70s, when railroads appeared, the Santa Fe Trade flourished. 
Becknell is called "The Founder of the Santa Fe Trade and 
the Father of the Santa Fe Trail". He was the first man to 
make a really profitable trip. He was also the first man to 
use wagons instead of pack animals. He used wagons on his 
second trip in 1822. 

The Missouri starting point of the trade and trail was at 
Franklin and the earlv traders all lived in central Missouri. 



io6 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



As the trade grew and as the steamboat appeared, Independ- 
ence in Jackson county was the starting place after 1827-30. 
A few years later, about 1833, the starting point was Westport 
Landing, a few miles farther up the Missouri. From West- 
port Landing grew Kansas City. 




OVERLAND TRAIN FROM MISSOURI 

The Santa Fe Trail from Independence southwest to Santa 
Fe was 750 miles long. Most of it lay in a country of hostile 
Indians. To protect themselves and their animals and goods, 
the traders organized in large caravans.. Each outfitted him- 
self with goods, men, animals, and wagons at Independence 
and then they all met 150 miles west in Kansas at a place called 
Council Groves. Here they organized the caravan with offi- 
cers and guards. The wagons had large deep beds and were 
covered with canvas. They held between one and three tons 
of goods. They were called "prairie schooners". The animals 
used were eight to twelve mules or oxen to a wagon. From 
Council Groves the trail led southwest to the Arkansas river, 



MissouRiANS Open the West 1 07 

then up that river westward for 100 miles. Here the trail 
divided. One branch led on up the Arkansas to Bent's Fort 
in Colorado, and then south across the mountains, coming into 
Santa Fe from the north. The other branch led southwest 
across the plains to Santa Fe. 

The principal goods taken to the Mexicans were cotton 
and woolen goods, cutleiy, and looking-glasses. These were 
traded or sold for horses and mules, beaver and other furs, and 
silver. From 1821 to 1830 the traders bought and trapped 
furs as much as they traded goods for livestock and silver. 
After 1830 the Mexican fur trade declined and the trade in 
merchandise increased. The profits differed from year to 
year. Sometimes there was a loss, and at other times the prof- 
its were 300 per cent. The average was between 20 and 100 
per cent. 

St. Louis was deeply interested in the trade since the 
goods were purchased here and then taken up the Missouri 
river to Independence Landing and Westport Landing by 
steamboat. Some of the St. Louis merchants were directly 
connected with the trade and helped finance it. At first the 
expeditions or caravans were made up of many individual 
traders, each taking his own goods, and a few employees hired 
to drive, guard, and work. Gradually the number of traders 
decreased and the number of employees increased. The trade 
fell into the hands of a few men who had ability and money. 
Like in the fur trade, the small trader could not compete with 
the big company. 

The greatest Santa Fe trader was Josiah Gregg. His first 
trip was in 1831. He made a total of eight trips. Later he 
wrote a book on the trade. It is called "The Commerce of the 
Prairies." No novel is more interesting and exciting than 
Gregg's story of his fight with Indians; his privations from 
heat, thirst and storms on the prairies; and his experiences 
with traders and Mexicans in Santa Fe. 



Io8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

The importance of the trade was great. For the first 
twenty years, over $3,000,000 worth of goods was sent from 
Missouri, and the amount was even more after the Mexican 
War. In return for the goods, Missouri received thousands of 
head of horses and mules, great numbers of furs, and for a 
long time $150,000 a year in silver. Missouri probably owes 
her prominence as a mule state to this early trade. The silver 
supplied her with money which enabled her to weather panics, 
enjoy prosperity, and have a sound currency. Along this trail 
Missourians later traveled to go to New Mexico and some fol- 
lowed it to Arizona and southern California. Finally the 
Santa Fe railroad largely followed it. Both the Boone's Lick 
Trail from St. Louis to Franklin and the Santa Fe Trail from 
Franklin and Boonville to Kansas City have been marked with 
granite markers by the Missouri Daughters of the American 
Revolution. Missouri could well afford to honor this historic 
highway. 

The Oregon Trail 

The Oregon Trail like the Santa Fe Trail was closely related 
to the fur trade. Both had their beginnings as routes for fur 
traders. They were alike in other ways. Both started near 
the mouth of the Kansas river and were the same for 40 miles 
west ; both served first as trade routes and later as routes for 
emigrants going west to settle ; both were through a hostile 
Indian country ; both were opened by Missourians ; and both 
brought wealth to Missouri and later took settlers from Mis- 
souri. But these two great trails also differed from each 
other. The Santa Fe Trail, which was 750 miles long across 
the plains, led in a southwest direction along the Arkansas 
river, and was surveyed and marked by the United States 
government The Oregon trail was 2000 miles long across 
plains, mountains, and deserts. It led in a west and northwest 
direction along the Platte river, through South Pass in Wyo- 
ming and across the Rockies, over the rough land and deserts 



Missouri AN s Open the West 1 09 

of Montana and Idaho, and down the Snake and Columbia 
rivers to the Pacific. It was never marked or surveyed by the 
government. Ahhough American traders operated success- 
fully in both the Santa Fe and the Oregon country about the 
same time, the Oregon Trail was not well established until 
twenty years later, 1842. 

The great American Fur Company was the first to carry 
on an overland fur trade with the Oregon country in the far 
Northwest. This trade began about 1812. Changes were 
gradually made in the route to shorten it and to make travel 
easier. The .most important change came in 1822-23 when 
Ashley and Smith of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company dis- 
covered South Pass in Wyoming through the Rockies. South 
Pass gave an easy, gently sloping way over the mountains. 
Through South Pass the trail led to Snake river, along Snake 
to the Columbia, and down the Columbia to the Pacific. A 
short distance from South Pass was another trail to the south- 
west. This was the Great Salt Lake Trail to the Utah Basin. 
From Great Salt Lake were two trails: one led west and 
slightly southwest to Sacramento and San Francisco, this was 
the California Trail; another led southwest to southern Cali- 
fornia, this was the Mormon Trail. About one-third of the 
way down the Mormon Trail another branched off to Santa 
Fe, this was the Spanish Trail. So the Far West was gradually 
covered with trails for trade and travel. 

Later there were other starting points of the Oregon Trail. 
These were along the Missouri river from the mouth of the 
Platte to the mouth of the Kansas. All of these small routes 
came* together about 150 miles up the Platte. The Platte was 
then followed up-stream into Wyoming. 

About 1832 a new element appeared on the Oregon Trail. 
In that year a party of settlers left Independence for Oregon. 
Two years later another party left. These were largely Mis- 
sourians. The big emigration began after the panic of 1837. 
From 1842 regular organized parties began leaving for the 



no History of Missouri and Missourians 

Far West. In 1845 over 3000 left Independence for Oregon. 
By 1843 the Oregon Trail was well marked and wagons could 
make the trip. So many Missourians settled in Oregon that 
one part, the Willamette Valley, was settled almost entirely by 
people from Missouri. Of course there were thousands from 
other states but Missouri did much to settle the Northwest. 

At this time the Northwest was claimed both by the 
United States and by England. The one to settle it first had 
the best chance of keeping it. Missouri's two United States 
senators, Thomas H. Benton and Lewis F. Linn, did more to 
keep the Oregon country for the United .States than did any 
others. It had been opened and was being settled by Mis- 
sourians. These two fought successfully in Congress for the 
protection of their people by the United States government. 

Benton's son-in-law was General John C. Fremont. He 
also was a great explorer. In 1842 he led a party through 
South Pass and again in 1843. He explored the Rockies, the 
Utah Basin, and reached both California and Oregon. After 
gold was discovered in California, Missourians again flocked 
to the West. These went along the old trails already marked 
by the early Missouri fur traders, trappers, and explorers. 

Conclusion 

Missourians through exploring parties and trading expe- 
ditions opened the trails of the West. Along these trails the 
early settlers of the West were to travel and later the railroads 
were to follow. They discovered many of the lofty peaks and 
the easy passes and traced the rivers. They discovered such 
natural wonders as Great Salt Lake and Yellowstone National 
Park. Through the fur trade hundreds of men were trained 
who later helped the government in its explorations and in sub- 
duing the Indians. The fur trade and the .Santa Fe trade for 
half a century brought to Missouri a commerce of nearly one- 
half million dollars a year. This would be equal to-day to a 
sum many times larger since money in those days was high. 



MissouRiANs Open the West IH 

It is not too much to say that Missouri's part in western trade 
from 1820 to 1860 was very important in giving prosperity to 
the State and people. It was also very important in exploring 
and later in settling the West. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What three causes led the people to be interested in western 
trade and commerce outside of Missouri? 

2. State the purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition? What 
was the result? 

3. Of what importance was the expedition of Pike? 

4. How did these pioneer expeditions retard the settlement of 
the west? 

5. What was the beneficial result of these expeditions? 

6. Of what importance was the early fur trade in Missouri? 

7. Which fur company do you consider the most important? 

8. What was the origin of the Santa Fe trade? 

9. What was the route of the Santa Fe trail? 

10. Why was the Santa Fe trade important in Missouri? 

11. Compare the Santa Fe trail with the Oregon trail. 

12. How did the Oregon trail affect emigration? 

13. Give your conclusions as to the importance of the Missouri 
exploring parties and trading expeditions. 



PART IV 

A CENTURY OF MISSOURI POLITICS 

1821-1921 

Missouri is a grand old state, and deserves to be grandly 

governed. 

Chapter I 

THE RULE OF THE FATHERS, 1820-1844 

Missouri celebrated her centennial in 1921. Since 1821, a 
period of one hundred years, she had been a state in the Union, 
and since 1820 she had had a state government. During this 
century of statehood, many clianges took place, great progress 
was made, and important events occurred. All these affected 
every phase of life in the state. Politics and government 
changed, wars were fought, education developed, and the eco- 
nomic life of the people expanded. The history of these one 
hundred years is full of interest. Each subject is filled with 
the life efforts of men and women, slowly but surely striving 
to better themselves and their fellowmen. Not every year of 
this century marked progress ; some years saw Missouri barely 
holding her own. But progress was clear during any long 
period of years. This is true in politics as it is in business and 
social life. Each phase of this progress is united to otlier 
phases and all reveal a study people working and fighting for 
what they think is best and right. The first phase considered 
is politics and government during this century of statehood. 

Relation of State and National Politics 

When the United States purchased Louisiana in 1803, 
Missouri was affected. When the United States declared war 

(112) 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 113 

against Great Britain in 1812, Missouri Avas again affected. 
The same close relationship between state and nation exists in 
politics and political parties as in treaties and wars. National 
politics had a great influence on Missouri politics during the 
century of statehood. The great political parties have been 
and are national political parties. This was true of the old 
Democratic party of Andrew Jackson and the old Whig party 
of Henry Clay ; it is true today of the Democratic party and 
of the Republican party. They are national political parties. 
But, these same parties are found in every state, and governors 
and members of the legislature as well as congressmen and 
United States senators are elected as Democrats or as Republi- 
cans. Even city and town officials are so elected. It is easy 
to see, therefore, why national politics influence state politics. 
Besides, the congressmen and the United States senators 
elected by each state help make the national laws. Again, the 
people elect the president. Since all of these officials whether 
governor, congressman, or president, are elected as candidates 
of one of the two political parties in state and nation, it is clear 
that national political parties have exerted a great influence on 
Missouri politics. No political party could live long in Mis- 
souri or in any state that was not part of a national political 
party. On the other hand when there were no national politi- 
cal parties, Missouri also had no state political parties. The 
state party is merely part of the national party, just as the 
state is part of the nation. 

General Features of Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 

During the first quarter centrury of Missouri politics the 
important offices were held by those leaders who had settled 
in Missouri in the territorial days. The State was ruled by 
"The Fathers", i. e., by the men who had helped lay the foun- 
dations of Missouri. Nearly all of these men had been born in 
southern states, principally in Kentucky and Virginia. The 
influence of these men was powerful with the voters. The 



IIA History of Missouri and Missourians 

greatest of these leaders was Thomas H. Benton, one of 
Missouri's first two United States senators. Benton was 
Missouri's United States senator for thirty years, five full 
terms. During the first four terms, from 1820 to 1844, Benton 
became niore and more powerful until he virtually controlled 
Missouri politically. The rule of "The Fathers", of whom 
Benton became the leader, is one feature of this period. This 
period might be called the Benton period of Missouri politics. 
Another feature is the growth of politicals parties. From 
1820 to about 1830 there were no well defined national political 
parties, hence Missouri had none. This was a decade of per- 
sonal politics. The man rather than his party was what the 
voters considered. The old Federalist party of Hamilton had 
died and all belonged to the party founded by Jefferson. The 
beginning of a new party came with the election of Andrew 
Jackson to the presidency in 1828. The foUow^ers of Jackson, 
of whom Benton was a leader, called themselves Democrats. 
They were against the United States Bank and a protective 
tariff. By 1830 the Democrats were fairly well organized. 
Missouri was Democratic down to the Civil War in 1861. The 
opponents of the Democrats organized at the same time. They 
were called Whigs. The Whigs followed Henry Clay and 
favored the United States Bank and a protective tariff. Mis- 
souri was never a Whig state but some of her ablest public 
men were Whigs. Williams H. Ashley, the great fur trader, 
Edward Bates, the great lawyer, and James S. Rollins, the 
orator and statesman, were Whigs. In Missouri the Whigs 
were strongest among the merchants and bankers of St. Louis 
and among the big slave owners in the river slave counties. 
Boone county was the banner Whig county in Missouri. The 
day of personal politics in Missouri passed in 1830. From 
that time party politics prevailed. The Whigs were never suc- 
cessful in a general presidential election in Missouri alhough 
one of their leaders, Ashley, was elected three times to Con- 
gress and served five years. 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 



115 




THOMAS II. RENTON 



Il6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

A third feature of this period in Missouri was the absence 
of great issues between the state parties except on money and 
banking. The Missouri Democrats luider Benton's influence 
stood for hard or metal money and sound banking. Benton 
was called "Old Bullion" arid Missouri was called "The Bullion 
State". Other states had paper money and wildcat banks, but 
Missouri did not. However, even some of the Missouri Demo- 
crats wanted cheap money and banks. The Benton Democrats 
were called the "Hards" ; the cheap money Democrats, the 
"Softs". The Whigs were also in favor of paper money and 
banks. Although on the money question the Democrats dif- 
fered among themselves, they did not split the party. A State 
Bank was established along veiy conservative lines and the 
Democratic party remained one. No other big issue is found 
between the parties in Missouri during this period. 

Missouri's Governors and the Missouri State Govern- 
ment, 1820-1844 
During these first twenty-four years of statehood Mis- 
souri elected six governors. These men were : Alexander Mc- 
Nair of St. Louis county, 1820-1824; Frederick Bates of St. 
Louis county, 1824-1825 ; John Miller of Cooper county, 1825- 
1828, and 1828-1832; Daniel Dunklin of Washington county, 
1832-1836; Lilbum W. Boggs of Jackson county, 1836-1840; 
and Thomas Reynolds of Howard county, 1840-1844. All of 
these except McNair were born in southern states — two in 
Virginia, two in Kentucky, and one in South Carolina. Mc- 
Nair was born in Pennsylvania. All of these except Reynolds 
had settled in Missouri before 1820. Only three of these men 
finished his regular four year term — McNair, Miller, and 
Boggs. Bates died in 1825. The lieutenant governor had pre- 
viously resigned, so according to the state constitution, the 
president pro tempore of the Senate became acting governor. 
This man was Abraham J. Williams of Boone county. He 
called a special election and John Miller was elected governor 
to serve out Bates' term. Miller served from 1825 to 1828. 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 



117 



He was re-elected in 1828 and served to 1832. Miller was 
governor seven years the longest of any Missouri governor. 
Dunklin resigned in 1836 about a month before his term ex- 
pired. The lieutenant governor, Boggs, became acting 
governor. Boggs then served a full four year teiTti by right 
of election. Reynolds committed suicide early in 1844. The 
lieutenant governor, M. M. Marmaduke, of Saline county, 
served out the remainder of the temi. All of these six elected 
governoi^s w^ere experienced men and each had held some im- 
portant public office. McNair had helped frame Missouri's 
first constitution. Bates had been secretary of Missouri 
Territoiy and acting territorial governor. Miller had been an 
office holder and soldier and later was congressman. Dunklin 
and Boggs had both been lieutenant governor of Missouri. 
Reynolds had been a supreme court judge in Illinois. Mis- 
souri's first six governors were men of ability. 
I Between 1820 and 1844 the State government was busy 
solving many questions. Missouri was a young state. The 
first thing necessary was to get her government in good work- 
ing order. The beginning of this was made during McNair's 
administration. Laws were made 
and enforced to protect property 
and punish crime. A home for the 
government was provided and in 
1821 the permanent capital of Mis- 
souri was located, after 1826, at 
Jefferson City. The capitol build- 
ing was begun in 1823 and was 
completed in 1826. It burned in 
1837 and a new one was built in 
1838. This one was greatly enlarged 
in 1887. It burned in 1911. Mis- 
souri's present capitol building was 
finished in 1918 and cost $4,000,000. 
It is one of the finest in the nation. alex.\nder McNair 




II 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



During McNair's term the Missouri State Seal was adopted. 
The twenty-three smaller stars represent the twenty-three 
states admitted before Missouri ; the large star represents 
Missouri as the twenty- fourth state. The Latin motto of the 
State, "Salus populi suprema lex esto" means, "Let the welfare 
of the people be the supreme law." During Governor Mc- 
Nair's term the State government made its first venture in 
finance. This was the Loan Office Law of 1821. The effect 
of the panic of 1819 was still felt. Times were hard, money 
was scarce, and interest rates were high. The State issued 
$185,000. of Loan Office certificates to help her people, and 
promised to redeem these in money. These certificates, like 
money, were of different amounts ranging from 12^^ cents to 
$10. The State accepted them in payment of taxes and soon 
they circulated like money. Farmers could borrow these cer- 
tificates up to $1,000 by giving a note or mortgage on their 
property. All went went until some of the borrowers refused 
to pay their notes. The State tried to collect but the United 
States Supreme Court held that the certificates were uncon« 
stitutional and the notes could not legally be collected. The 
borrowers did not have to pay although morally they shoul 

have paid. The State could als 
have refused to redeem the certifi 
cates, but Missouri did not. She 
redeemed the certificates dollar for 
dollar. Missouri has never refused 
to pay her debts or keep her obli- 
gations. 

During Bates' term the princi- 
pal law passed was to organize 
the militia to protect the State 
against Indians. All men between 
the ages of eighteen and forty- 
five years were required to be 
i-RKDERiCK HATES enrolled in the militia. In April 




I 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 



119 




of eacli year "Muster Day" was 
held in each township. All the 
militiamen organized into com- 
panies. In May and October all 
the companies in a county met and 
drilled. 

During Miller's Administration 
the State was veiy prosperous. 
The government performed two 
things of importance. The peni- 
tentiary was located and built in 
Jefferson City. The Black Hawk 
Indian war broke out in Illinois 
and Wisconsin, and Missouri fear- John miller 

ed the Indians might cross the Missisippi and give trouble 
here. Troops were sent to northeast Missouri but no hostile 
Indians were met. 

The term of Governor Dunklin 
from 1832 to 1836 marked one im- 
portant government act. This was 
the Platte Purchase. The Platte 
Country was in northwest Missouri. 
It embraced what are today the six 
counties of Atchison, Holt, Noda- 
way, i\ndrew, Buchanan, and 
Platte. The Sac and Fox Indians 
occupied it but already some white 
settlers had settled there. The 
United States Government in 1836 
gave the Indians $7,500 and a tract 
of land in Kansas a,nd the Indians 
in return gave up claim to the 
Platte country. The principal demand for this country had 
come from the people in Clay county. General William Clark, 
"Red Head", arranged the treaty. Missouri's United States 




DANIEL DUNKLIN 



I20 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



senator, L.cwis F. Linn, was the real author of the Platte 
Purchase as it was he who persuaded Congress to give this 
land to Missouri. In 1837 the State of Missouri took posses- 
sion. During Governor DunkUn's administration Missouri 
was even more prosperous than before. Speculation again 
prevailed but in 1837 hard times set in and continued several 
years. By 1836 the people wanted better transportation so in 
that year a railroad convention was held in St. Louis. 
Everybody was enthusiastic and the Legislature chartered a 
number of railroad lines. Nothing further was done, how- 
ever, and it was fifteen years before railroad building began 
in Missouri. 

Governor Bogg's administration was most important and 
exciting. It was filled with seven historic events. In 1837 

the Legislature founded a ?tate 
Bank. Later branches of this bank 
were established over Missouri. 
All were sound and rendered the 
people sei"vice. In the same year 
the famous panic of 1837 took 
place. Missouri suffered but not 
so much as did other states. This 
was because she had no wildcat 
banks and wildcat paper money, 
because she had received silver 
through the Santa Fe Trade, and 
also because she had not speculated 
so much. It was in 1837 that the 
United States Government called 
on Missouri for troops to fight the Seminole Indians in 
Florida. Colonel Richard Gentry, of Columbia, raised a regi- 
ment. The men .suffered severely and Col. Gentry was killed 
in battle. 

It was during Governor Bogg's temi that trouble arose 
with the Mormons, which finally resulted in war and their ex- 




LILP.URN W. BOGGS 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 



121 



pulsion from the State. The miUtia was called out and the 
Mormons surrendered in 1839. They left Missouri in 1839. 
The story of the Mormon War will be told later. The next 
important acts during- these four years were the founding of 
Missouri's public school system in 1839 and the establishment 
of the University of Missouri at 
Columbia the same year. The last 
event was trouble with Iowa over 
the northern boundary line. This 
has been called the "Honey War" 
and will also be considered under 
"A Century of Military Missouri". 
Governor Reynolds is best known 
in Missouri history for being- the 
author of the law abolishing im- 
prisonment for debt. It was a very 
short law but it was also very im- 
portant. It read: "Imprisonment 
for debt is hereby forever abolish- 
ed." THOMAS REYNOLDS 




Missouri's Congressmen and United States Senators, 

1820-1844 

During these twenty-four years Missouri had four United 
States Senators and fourteen Representatives in Congress. Of 
the fourteen Congressmen only five are well known: John 
Scott of Ste. Genevieve county, 1820-26; Edward Bates of St. 
Louis county, 1826-1828; William H. Ashley of St. Louis 
county, 1831-1836; John Miller of Howard county, 1836-1842; 
and John C. Edwards of Cole county, 1840-1842. Of these 
five men, four were natives of Virginia and had settled in 
Missouri before 1820. Edwards was born in Kentucky and 
came to Missouri in 1828. They were able men and each had 
held public office in Missouri. 



122 History of Missouri and Missourians 

John Scott was Missouri's last territorial delegate and her 
first congressman. He had received a fine education and was 
a noted lawyer. His most important service to Missouri was 
in aiding her to secure statehood. He was a delegate to the 
Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1820 and was the 
author of the provision relating to education. In 1824 he 
cast his vote in Congress for Adams, instead of for Jackson. 
This lost him the friendship of Benton and in 1826 the poli- 
tical support of Missourians. 

Edward Bates was a brother of Frederick Bates, Mis- 
souri's second State governor. He was a successful lawyer 
and an able statesman. He had served in the cenvention of 
1820, and although he was only twenty-seven years old, he was 
one of the leaders. He was Missouri's first attorne)' general 
in 1820 and in 1826 was elected to Congress. He became a 
Whig and was one of the leaders in Alissouri of the W'hig 
party. In 1860 he became a Republican and in 1861 was ap- 
pointed to President Lincoln's cabinet, being the first man 
west of the Mississippi to hold a cabinet position. He was one 
of the most eminent men Missouri has produced. 

William H. Ashley was one of Missoin-i's most successful 
and wealthy fur traders. He was Missouri's first lieutenant 
governor in 1820 and served four years. He devoted his later 
life to politics. He was a Whig, and although Missouri was a 
Democratic State, Ashley served five years in Congress. His 
ability was employed in Congress in aiding Missouri and the 
West in developing the Santa Fe Trade and in securing protec- 
tion against the Indians. 

John Miller was the first Congressman from central ]\Iis- 
souri. He had been an editor and a soldier before settling in 
Missouri. A man of force and abilit}" he soon attracted atten- 
tion. Before his election to Congress, ht had served as 
governor for seven years. His record as a public official was 
good. 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 1 23 

John C. Edwards came to Missouri in 1828. He had 
served Missouri as secretary of state for seven years before 
his election to Congress. He was later elected governor in 
1844 and served four years. He was a lawyer. 

The four United States senators from Missouri during 
this period were David Barton of St. Louis county, 1820-1830; 
Thomas H. Benton of St. Louis county, 1820-1850; Alexander 
Buckner of Cape Girardeau, 1830-1833; and Lewis F. Linn of 
Ste. Genevieve county, 1833-1844. Barton and Benton were 
natives of North Carolina; Buckner and Linn were natives of 
Kentucky. All had settled in Missouri before 1820. Linn was 
a doctor, the other three were lawyers. All were very able 
men and made fine public officials. 

David Barton was the most popular man in Missouri in 
1820. He had served as judge and was elected president of 
the convention of 1820. He greatly influenced the drafting of 
IVIissouri's first constitution. When Missouri became a state. 
Barton was easily elected to the United States Senate and was 
reelected in 1824. Like Bates, he favored Adams for presi- 
dent in 1824 and his popularity decreased. In 1830 he was 
defeated for reelection. He was an exceptional man and made 
an able and honest public official. 

Alexander Buckner was elected in 1830 to succeed Barton. 
He was a prominent lawyer and was highly respected. He died 
of the cholera in 1833. 

Lewis F. Linn was appointed to succeed Buckner in 1833. 
He was elected in 1834, and reelected in 1836 and 1843. He 
was a doctor, the only one ever elected from Missouri to the 
United States Senate. Although he had never sought public 
office and was not a politician, he was one of the two greatest 
Missouri statesmen prior to the Civil War. He was an advo- 
cate of cheap land to the settlers, the purchase of the Platte 
Country, and the acquisition of the Oregon Country. So 
widespread was his popularity and services that he was 



124 



History of Missouri and Missouriaxs 




claimed by the people of Iowa 
and Oregon as their senator al- 
though he represented Missouri. 
He was called "The IModel Sen- 
ator from Missouri". He and 
his colleague, Benton, were close 
friends and worked together. 
To Linn Missouri is indebted for 
the Platte Country and he did 
more than any other public 
official to obtain the great Ore- 
gon Country for the United 
States. 



LEWIS F. LINN 



Thomas H. Benton served as Missouri's United States 
senator from 1820 to 1850 — a period of thirty years. During 
this period he was easily reelected in 1826, 1832, and 1838. 
His control of Missouri became stronger and stronger until it 
seemed that none could defeat or hurt him. He was very able, 
a deep student, a convincing speaker, and honest. He did 
everything he could in Congress to help Jackson abolish the 
United States Bank, and develop ]\Iissouri and the West by 
means of cheap public land, protection of trade and frontier 
against Indians, and exploration of the West. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Explain the relation between state and national political 
parties. 

2. What do you understand by the term, "The Rule of the 
Fathers?" 

3. Contrast politics of 1820-1830 with the political situation in 
Missouri today. 

4. Explain the rise of political parties in 1830. Name the leaders 
of each party. 

5. What were the state issues between the political parties? 



Missouri Politics, 1820-1844 1 25 

6. To whom was the term, "Old lUillion", applied? Why was 
Missouri called,, "The Bullion State?" 

7. Characterize the first six governors of Missouri. 

8. Describe the state seal of Missouri. 

9. What event occurred following 1821 which pioved the integrity 
of Missouri? 

10. What was Muster Day? 

11. What was the important event during Governor Dunklin's ad- 
ministration? 

12. What w'ere the most important historic events during Governor 
Bogg's administration? 

13. What important law was established during Governor Reynolds' 
administration? 

14. Xame and characterize the first four United States senators 
from Missouri. 

15. Compare the senators with the congressmen of the same 
period. 



Chapter II 
DEMOCRATIC RULE AND POLITICAL UNREST, 

1844-1860 

This period of Missouri politics from 1844 to 1860 is 
quite different from the preceding period. The Democratic 
party, it is true, ruled Missouri but it became more and more 
divided. The differences between the two periods are many. 
In this period elections were decided by politics rather than by 
the character of the men. Politics reigned supreme. Another 
difference was the appearance and rise to power of new poli- 
tical leaders. "The Rule of the Fathers" was at an end and 
new men, younger men, took their place. In the Democratic 
party the new leaders were called the "Central Clique". They 
lived in Central Missouri. At first they supported Benton but 
later they worked against him, and finally they defeated him. 
This period also marked the appearance of big issues or prob- 
lems in Missouri politics. These problems related to money, 
more democracy in government (i. e., more elective officials 
and shorter terms), the annexation of Texas, State aid to rail- 
roads, extension of slavery^ in the territories, and the fight 
against Benton. Of these problems or issues the two most im- 
portant were Benton and slavery. The Benton problem was 
practically settled in 1851 when he was defeated for reelection 
to the United States Senate, but the slavery issue was not set- 
tled until the Civil War ended in 1865. 

The slaver}^ issue and the Benton issue (i. e., the determin- 
ation of the new leaders to defeat Benton) were closely 
related. In fact, nearly all of these issues, except that relating 
to the railroads, were closely related to the fight on Benton. 
It was the great issue of slavery in the territories which finally 
broke up the Whig party, caused the rise of the Republican 
party, and eventually ruined the old Democratic party. 

(126) 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 1 27 

This period of Missouri politics is like a drama. It re- 
veals great actors playing parts full of lofty ideals and human 
interests. The first act closes in 1851 when tlie new leaders 
rise to power and the great Benton is defeated. The next ten 
years are marked with the death of Benton, the border war 
with Kansas, the gradual fall of the old parties, the rise of a 
new party, and always the problem of slavery, growing larger 
and larger in the territories. This act closes with the Demo- 
cratic party of the new leaders (now older, of course) in 
seeming unlimited control of Missouri. The Nation is in con- 
trol of the Republican party and we hear the distant rumblings 
of civil war. The next period from 1861 to 1870 is but a con- 
tinuation of this drama, which is the most tragic in our history. 

Bearing in mind that the two main issues are first the 
desire of the new leaders to defeat Benton, and second, the 
growing problem of slavery extension in the territories, it will 
not be hard to understand this interesting and instructive 
period in Missouri state politics. It should also be stated that 
during this period Missouri was always Democratic in both 
national and state elections and that the new leaders who dis- 
placed Benton were generally of southern birth and southern 
sympathy, and were pronounced advocates of slaver}^ and 
slavery extension in the territories. Despite Missouri being a 
Democratic state during these years, a new class of people 
were settling here, who differed from the proslavery leaders 
of the Democratic party. These people came from the free 
states lying to the east of Missouri, especially from Illinois, 
Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. During the forties and 
fifties a large German immigration flowed ito Missouri, settl- 
ing in St. Louis and the neighboring counties. This German 
class of settlers like the freestate settlers from the east, also 
opposed the proslavery leaders of the Democratic party. Many 
of the eastern and German settlers at first voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket, but later helped split that party and some, includ- 
ing all of the Germans, eventually went into the new Republi- 



128 History of Missouri and Missourians 

can party. The main point to remember, however, is that this 
new immigration was pro-Union in sympathy and was not pro- 
slavery or prosouthem. The Irish immigration also began 
pouring into Missouri in the fifties. The Irish became Demo- 
crats. So it is seen that instead of Missouri having a popula- 
tion of the same stock and the same general ideas in politics 
as she had before when her people came largely from southern 
states, she now had a mixed population holding conflicting 
ideas in politics. The Nation was dividing along sectional 
lines and Missouri was also dividing on the big question of 
slavery extension in the territories. 

The Election of 1844 and the First Statewide Attack 

ON Benton 

The election of 1844 is important. The issues in Missouri 
in 1844 were "Hard" or "Soft" money, the annexation of 
Texas, the election of two United States Senators, five con- 
gressmen, and a governor, and a new State constitution. Most 
important of all, however, is the fact that this election marks 
the beginning of two great movements — the fall of Benton 
and the division inside the Democratic party. Both are closely 
related to each other. Each of the issues of this election will 
now be considered as well as its relation to Benton and the 
Democratic party. 

The "Hard" and "Soft" money issue began shortly after 
the panic of 1837, in which year was established The Bank of 
Missouri controlled by the Missouri State Government. This 
bank and its branches were conservatively managed and Mis- 
souri's money was on a sound, metal basis. Benton was a 
hard, or metal, money man. He believed in gold and silver. 
Many Missourians in both parties believed in easier or cheaper 
money. The easy money Democrats were called "Softs". 
They opposed Benton. By 1840 the "Softs" and tlie Whigs in 
St. Louis voted together and by 1844 the split in the Demo- 
cratic party had become statewide. Benton was the leader of 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 1 29. 

the "Hards" and was supported by all hard money men and by 
a group of younger politicians in Central Missouri, who were 
called the "Central Clique". Although the Whigs had put out 
state candidates in 1840, they voted with the "Soft Demo- 
crats in 1844. 

The immediate annexation of Texas was also an issue in 
Missouri and the Nation in 1844. Many Missourians had set- 
tled in Texas and had fought for Texas independence against 
Mexico. Texas now desired to become a state. Benton was 
opposed to annexing Texas, without first having an agreement 
with Mexico, since Mexico had not yet recognized the inde- 
pendence of Texas. He said that it would hurt Missouri in 
her profitable trade with Santa Fe, since Mexico would take 
offence and stop her province of New Mexico trading with 
the United States. He also thought annexation would lead to 
war with Mexico, and in this he was right. Missourians, how- 
ever, wanted Texas. Benton realized this. Besides, the 
national slogan of the Democratic party in 1844 was "Amiexa- 
tion of Texas and Occupation of Oregon". This slogan helped 
the Democratic party in Missouri and really in part helped 
Benton, since he had always stood for the occupation of the 
Oregon country. 

The third great issue was the actual election of officials, 
especially of members of the Legislature and of governor. 
The new Legislature was to elect two United States senators, 
one for six years to succeed Benton and one for four years to 
fill out the term of Linn, who had died in 1843 and in whose 
place David R. Atchison had been temporarily appointed. 
There were also five Congressmen to be elected. The Benton 
or "Hard" candidate for governor was John C. Edwards. His 
opponent was the "Soft" candidate Charles H. Allen, who 
was supported by the Whigs. 

The last issue in 1844 was the question of calling a consti- 
tutional convention to frame a new constitution for Missouri, 
Many objected to the old constitution of 1820. Some disliked 



.I30 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



its provisions regarding all judges being appointed and holding 
office during good behavior instead of being elected for a 
term of years. They also thought the Legislature had too 
much power and that it should be limited on some subjects. 
Others thought that the system of county representation in the 
Legislature was unfair to the populous counties since they had 
little more representation than the sparsely settled counties. 

Benton and the "Hard" Democrats won. John C. Ed- 
wards was elected governor. The Legislature was closely 
divided and Benton was re-elected by a majority of only eight 
votes. Atchison, one of the new leaders, w^as elected senator. 
Among the congressmen elected were two able men who later 
became governors of Missouri, Sterling Price and John S. 
Phelps. The leader of the Missouri House of Representatives 
was Claiborne F. Jackson, another man who later became 
governor. In a few years these new leaders turned against 
Benton and finally defeated him. The people voted in favor 
of a constitutional convention. 

Senator David R. Atchison was a native of Kentucky. He 
was a lawyer of ability and had served both in the Legislature 
and on the bench. He came from Platte county. He was one 

of the younger leaders and after 
1848 opposed Benton's views on 
slavery. He was a strong States'" 
right man and favored the slave 
states. He was re-elected in 1848 
but was defeated in 1854. 

Governor John C. Edwards, of 
Cole county, was also a Kentuckian. 
He was a lawyer and had served 
Missouri as secretaiy of state and 
as congressman. His administra- 
tion was a success and Missouri 
grew in wealth and population. It 
JOHN c. EDWARDS was marked by several important 




Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 13 1 

events. One of the first was trouble between Iowa and Missouri 
over the northern boundary line. This is called the "Honey 
War" and will be considered under "A Century if Military 
Missouri". The boundary line was finally determined by the 
United States Supreme Court in 1848. In 1845 the constitu- 
tional convention met and framed a new constitution. It was 
submitted to the people, who rejected it in 1846. It was a 
good constitution but, somehow, it did not satisfy the people. 
The most important event was the outbreak of war between 
the United States and Mexico. The national government 
called for volunteers and Missourians enlisted by the hundreds. 
They were led by such men as Alexander W. Doniphan and 
Sterling Price. The Missouri troops made a wonderful record 
in conquering New Mexico and several large provinces in Old 
Mexico. This was in 1846 and 1847. On their return they 
received a great welcome. The story of Doniphan's Expedi- 
tion will be told under "A Century of Military Missouri". 
During Governor Edward's administration the third State 
institution was established, the first being the State peniten- 
tiary at Jefferson City and the second the University of Mis- 
souri at Columbia. This was the establishment of a State 
hospital for the insane at Fulton in 1847. Since then three 
more State hospitals have been established at St. Joseph, 
Nevada, and Farmington. Excluding the Mexican War, the 
most important event during these years was the gathering 
opposition to Benton. 

The Fight Against Benton and His Defeat 

The money issue had hardly been settled in Missouri in 
favor of the "Hards" and the Texas question had hardly been 
disposed of by immediate annexation in 1845, when the fight 
on Benton was renewed. The new Democratic leaders of 
Missouri were determined to defeat the great statesman. He 
had held his high office since 1820. Some though that this 
was long enough and that some other person should have a 



1^2 History of Missouri and Missourians 

chance. The politicians gave expression to this view. Benton 
had not built up a real political machine. He had not dis- 
tributed political offices as he might have done. This weak- 
ened him with the politicians. His position on hard money 
and the Texas question had weakened him with the people. 
Moreover, he had been very independent and frequently had 
been rude even to those who had helped him. He was a great 
man and the people admired him for his ability, renown, in- 
dustry, and honesty. He was never, however, a popular hero 
having the love of his voters. Gradually the young politicians 
began secretly, and later openly, criticising and attacking him. 
Benton was losing in Missouri and He was now losing in 
Washington. 

During President Andrew Jackson's rise and rule to 
power, Benton had been powerful in the national councils of 
the Democratic party. He and Jackson became close friends, 
and Jackson was always the real hero of Missourians. After 
the national election of 1840 the Democratic party in Congress 
became more and more southern in sympathy and ideals and 
passed under the control of southern leaders. Benton was 
first' of all a believer in the Union. He loved it and fought 
for it, in and out of politics. He opposed everything and every 
measure which he thought might hurt the Union. The south- 
ern leaders were believers in the doctrine of States' right and 
in the right of extending slavery in the new territories. Ben- 
ton had no faith in these southern leaders. He thought that 
they were tiying to destroy the Union. They in turn hated 
him. The new prosouthern leaders in Missouri knew this con- 
dition and took advantage of it. Benton had lost influence in 
Congress; now he was to lose influence in Missouri. 

The Missouri election of 1848 was purely a struggle be- 
tween the Democrats and Whigs. The fight against Benton 
did not enter into it, at least not openly. The Democratic can- 
didate for governor was Austin A. King, of Ray county; the 
Whig candidate was James S. Rollins, of Boone county. 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 



133 



Governor King was easily elected and the State went Demo- 
cratic as usual. Three rising young men, out of the five 
elected to Congress, were later to achieve prominence in pub- 
lic office, — John S. Phelps (already mentioned and first 
elected in 1844), Willard P. Hall (who had been first elected 
to Congress in 1846 and who later became acting governor), 
and James S. Green (who later became United States Sena- 
tor). All three were very able men. When the Legislature 
met, Senator Atchison was easily reelected to the United 
States Senate. 

Governor King was a native 
of Tennessee. He was a lawyer of 
ability and had practiced both in 
Boone and Ray county. He had 
serve<l in the Legislature and on 
the bench and later he served in 
Congress. During his administra- 
tion (1848-1852) some important 
events occurred. The State Govern- 
ment began giving financial aid to 
railroads, the fight against Benton 
succeeded, and the split in the 
Democratic party widened so that 
in 1851 Missouri elected a Whig 
United States Senator. During 
these four years the State established a school for the deaf at 
Fulton (1851) and a school for the blind at St. Louis (1851). 
The stor}^ of the building of Missouri railroads will be told in 
"A Century of Commerce and Transportation". 

The fight against Benton which had begun in 1844 
entered its second and last stage in 1849. The issue then was 
money, the issue now was slavery extension in the territories. 
The Nation had gained much new territory as a result of the 
Mexican war. The South wanted slavery permitted in this 
territory, the North wanted slavery prohibited there. Benton 




AUSTIN A. KING 



l^A History of Missouri and Missourians 

wanted Califo'rnia to be admitted as a free state and all the 
rest of the new territory to be divided by the Missouri Com- 
promise line extending westward. The ne^v prosouthern lead- 
ers in Missouri now saw an opportunity to defeat Benton and 
they planned carefully and well. 

A set of resolutions, called the "Jackson Resolutions", 
were introduced in the Mission Senate by Claiborne F. Jack- 
son. These resolutions stated that only the people in a terri- 
tory could prohibit slavery and that Congress did not have this 
power. They further declared that if Congress did assume 
such power, then Missouri would stand by the southern, slave- 
holding slates. Finally, they instructed Missouri's United 
States Senators to vote accordingly. These resolutions were 
adopted by the Legislature by a large vote and were sent to 
both Benton and Atchison. Similar resolutions had either 
been adopted or proix)sed in other southern states, but Benton 
saw that the "Jackson Resolutions" were a direct attack on 
him and his policy. He accepted the challenge. 

The State was campaigned by Benton and his opponents 
from one corner to the other beginning in 1849 and lasting 
until the election in 1850. Benton now waged the bitterest 
and most relentless fight of his life. He appealed to the peo- 
ple. He might have refused to fight on this issue but he pre- 
ferred battle to compromise and eventual inglorious defeat. 
He opposed the "Jackson Resolutions" on the ground that they 
threatened the break up of the Union and that they were 
passed by his political enemies and not by the people. 

The election resulted in giving the Whigs the largest num- 
ber of members in the Legislature. The Benton men came 
second and the anti-Benton men third. No one of the three 
had a majority. On the point at issue, the "Jackson Resolu- 
tions", the Whigs really felt like Benton, but they had opposed 
each other for years. They refused to help him now. Finally, 
after repeated voting in 1851 the anti-Benton men, led by the 
new leaders, voted with the Whigs and elected Henr>' S. 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 



135 




136 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Geyer of St. Louis. Benton had finally been defeated after 
serving Missouri thirty years in the United States Senate. His 
successor Senator Geyer, was a native of Maryland. He was 
an able lawyer and one of the Whig leaders of Missouri. 

But Benton did not know, or he refused to acknowledge 
defeat. He had been a fearless fighter all his life and he was 
determined to continue the fight. He felt that he was right 
and he felt that the Union was rapidly approaching destruc- 
tion and war unless a change came soon. Benton decided to 
do his part until the end. In 1852 he ran for representative in 
Congress from St. Louis and was elected. The "Jackson 
Resolutions" and the question of slavery extension were still 
the issues. In 1854 when Senator Atchison was up for re- 
election to the United States Senate, Benton worked hard 
against him, as Atchison was one of the prosouthern leaders. 
Again he stumped the State and again the Legislature split 
into three parties. So bitter was feeling that even the Legisla- 
ture could not agree and actually failed to elect a successor to 
Atchison. So Missouri for two years, 1855-1857, was repre- 
sented in the United States Senate by only one man, Henr}^ S. 
Geyer. Benton, himself defeated, had succeeded in defeating 
one of his strongest opponents and political enemies. Senator 
Atchison. In 1855 Benton ran for governor. He was now 
over seventy years old but he again waged a vigorous cam- 
paign. He was hopelessly defeated, and he retired to his home 
and library in Washington. Here he died in 1858, the greatest 
statesman Missouri has produced and "The Greatest States- 
man of the West". Three years to the month after his death 
the Nation was engaged in a civil war which lasted until 1865. 

Administration of Governor Price, 1852-1856, and the 
Struggle for Kansas, 1854-1857 

The election of 1852 was the last in which the Whig party 
had a candidate for governor in Missouri and a candidate for 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 137 

president of the United States. After this election the W hig 
party rapidly went to pieces. Two new pirties appeared, the 
American party, which lasted only through the one general 
state and national election of 1856, and the Republican party, 
which did not appear in a Missouri general election until 1860 
although it had put out a national ticket in 1856. By 1860 uhe 
Democratic party had split into two parts. The Republican 
had grown rapidly in strength over the North, and a Union 
party had appeared. It is clearly seen thajt there was deep 
political unrest in the fifties. This led to the break-up of 
parties. 

The chief cause of this unrest and of this break-up was 
the question of slavery extension in the territories. This ques- 
tion first rose to prominence in 1820 when the Missouri Com- 
promise bill was passed. Despite this settlement in 1820, it 
again rose to prominence after the Mexicon A\'ar in connection 
with slavery in the new territory acquired. Again it was set- 
tled by the Compromise of 1850, but again it rose to promi- 
nence when the Kansas-Nebraska bill was passed in 1854. It 
was settled once more in 1857 when Kansas became a free soil 
territory but peace between Kansas and Missouri did not come. 
Finally, in 1860 the national victory of the Republican party 
and the closely following secession from the Union of some of 
the Southern states brought matters to a crisis and war broke 
out. Missouri as a state in the Union was affected by these 
currents of national life from 1850 to 1860. and as a state 
bordering on the new Territory of Kansas she was vitally con- 
cerned. It was during Governor Price's administration that 
the Kansas troubles began. 

Sterling Price was elected governor of Missouri in 1852. 
He served a full, four-year term. Governor Price was a 
native of Virginia. After coming to Missouri he settled in 
Chariton county where he was a merchant and later a 



138 



History of Missouri and Missourians 




STLKLlNt. rUlCE 



farmer. He had served in the Mis- 
souri Legislature and in Congress. 
During the IMexican War he suc- 
cessfully led a regiment of Missouri 
troops. He was a vei-y popular 
man, being perhaps the only one 
trusted both by the Btnton and the 
anti-Benton men. He made a good 
governor, and later at the outbreak 
of the Civil War he was perhaps 
the most beloved man in the State. 
During his administration the 
Benton fight continued over the 
"Jackson Resolutions". More state 
financial aid was given the rail- 
roads, the public school system was reorganized, and the 
struggle for Kansas began. The new public school law, passed 
in 1853, was important in providing for a separate state super- 
intendent of schools and a county school commissioner in each 
county. The public schools immediately improved and public 
education advanced rapidly down to the Civil W^ar, which 
practically stopped instruction over a large part of Missouri. 
However, the greatest event of political importance was the 
Kansas trouble. 

The settlement of Iowa and western Missouri brought a 
demand that the Kansas and Nebraska countr>' be opened for 
settlers. The reason was cheap land. The new country was at 
that time a great Indian reservation. The people in northwest 
Missouri were especially interested in having Kansas opened. 
Besides the Indian title there was another problem to solve. 
The Missouri Compromise had made all north of 36° SCX free 
soil, excepting Missouri. Kansas and Nebraska lay north of 
that line. But Missourians wanted to make Kansas a slave 
territoi-y and later a slave state. Senator Atchison was one of 
the leaders in pressing the question on Congress. In 1854 



Missouri Politics, 184-l-l<sr30 1 39 

Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska bill. This bill opened 
the two territories to settlement and provided tihat the settlers 
should decide the issue of slavery. Everyone expected that 
Nebraska, lying west of free soil Iowa, would become a free soil 
territory and state, and that Kansas, lying west of Missouri, 
would become a slave territoiy and state. The passage of this 
bill was one of the causes, if not the main cause, for the death 
of the Whig party, the rise of the Republican party, and the 
later split in the Democratic party. 

When the new^s reached Missouri that Kansas was open 
to settlement, there was great satisfaction. Missouri had a 
vital interest in making Kansas a sjave territory since the State 
already had free soil on the north and east (Iowa and Illinois) 
and, therefore, did not want to have free soil on the west. 
Free soil '^o close at hand meant loss of runaway slaves. The 
South also w^anted Kansas to become a slave state so as to 
aid them in Congress, especially in the Senate. So really Mis- 
souri and the South had a big issue at stake in Kansas. Bear- 
ing this in mind, it is easier to understand why Missouri fought 
so hard for Kansas. 

The first settlers in Kansas were ]\lissourians, but north- 
ern settlers began coming in almost immediately. ]\Iany of the 
northern settlers came largely to vote Kansas a free territory, 
although some came intending to settle. These northern voters 
and settlers were aided by northern abolition societies. Mis- 
sourians realized the danger. They organized in bands and 
companies and secret lodges. They were determined tiiat 
Kansas should not be made a free state largely by New I'-ng- 
land voters. On election day many crossed over into Kansas 
and voted. They aided the proslaveiy settler and elected a 
proslaverv territorial legislature, which established slavery. 
The northern settlers refused to obey the legal government 
and adoptetl an anti-slaver}^ constitution and government mak- 
ing Kansas a free territory. Kansas now had its own civil 
war, the northerners geitting aid from New l^ngland and other 



140 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



eastern states, the southerners receiving aid from Missouri. 

Bands of anned Missourians invaded Kansas to stamp out 
the northern territorial government and drive out the northern 
voters and settlers. Some were led by prominent men, among 
wham was ex-Senator Atchison, a man of influence, honesty, 
and wealth. The antislavery men in Kansas called these Mis- 
sourians "Border Ruffians" and the Missourians accepted the 
name. However, most of them were not ruffians but were men 
fighting for a principle in which they believed and against what 
they regarded as an unwarranted intrusion on the part of the 
northern people. 

The antislavery forces -organized. Outrages were com- 
mitted by both sides. There was fighting that resulted in death 
and crime. One of the abolitionist leaders was John Brown, 
who was a fanatic in his hatred of slavery. Things went from 
bad to worse until no man's life was safe in Kansas. The anti- 
slavery people increased and Missouri and the South appealed 
for southern men to settle in Kansas. This they refused to do, 
although they hoped to see Kansas a slave state. The reason of 
their refusal was the danger of losing their slave property. In 
1857 civil war was stopped by the United States Government. 
An election was held, and Kansas elected an antislavery legisla- 
ture. The struggle for Kansas was over; the antislavery forces 
had won. But the Kansas Border Troubles were not over. 
These will be considered under Governor Stewart's administra- 
tion. 

Administration of Governor Robert M. Stewart, 
1857-1860 

The election of 1856 in Missouri was another Democratic 
victory. The Whig party had passed and a new party called 
the American party was in the field, followed by the old Whig 
voters. The new Republican party did not appear in Missouri 
in 1856, although it had out a national ticket. This election also 
marked the passing of Benton. He was badly defeated for 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 



141 




TRUSTEN POLK 



governor. The successful candidate for that office was Trus- 
ten Polk. The Legislature elected was strongly prosouthern 
and anti-Benton. 

Governor Polk was a native 
oi Maryland. He was a lawyer 
and made his home in St. Louis. 
A few days after he became 
governor he was elected, in 1857, 
United States Senator for six years 
to succeed Senator Henry S. 
Geyer. He was strongly pro- 
southern and was expelled from 
the Senate in 1862 on the charge 
of disloyalty. The same Legisla- 
ture elected James S. Green, of 
Lewis county, as the other United 
States Senator. Senator Green, 
who was a lawyer, was a native 
of Virginia. He was one of the ablest, if not the foremost, 
orator Missouri has produced. Although a young man he 
•had held important public positions 
and was one of the leaders of the 
Democratic party in Missouri. He 
did more through his public 
speeches to defeat Benton in ISSO 
and again in 1856 than any other 
man in this State. He was a re- 
markable orator, a shrewd poli- 
tician, and an able senator. 

On his election to the United 
States Senate, Governor Polk re- 
signed the governorship, and Han- 
cock Jackson, the lieutenant-gov- 
ernor, served until the special 
election was held in August, 1857. 




J.\.MES S. GREEN 



142 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



At this special election, Robert M. Stewart, the Democratic 
candidate, was opposed by James S. Rollins, one of the ablest 
Whig leaders of the State, who ran on the American ticket. 
The contest was close and Governor Stewart was elected by a 
majority of only 334 votes — this indicates the great growth 

of the opposition. Governor 
Stewart was a native of New York. 
He made his home in St. Joseph. 
He was an able lawyer and had 
filled many important public of- 
fices. He was deeply interested in 
railroads, being president of the 
Hannibal and St. Joseph road. He 
was one of the proslavery leaders 
but during the Civil War sided 
with the Union. The principal 
events of his administration were 
the establishment of a state bank- 
ing system which gave Missouri 
better banking facilities, the cre- 
ation of the office of state bank examiner to inspect banks, 
and the Kansas Border Troubles. 

The Kansas Border Troubles immediately followed the 
victory of the antislavery settlers in Kansas. Missourians had 
ceased invading Kansas and Kansans now began to invade Mis- 
souri, especially southwest Missouri. Tliey raided with armed 
bands the western border counties of Missouri, carried off 
slaves, robbed the citizens, destroyed property, and killed inno- 
cent people. Sometimes their invasions were repelled, at other 
times they left only when they could carry off no more plun- 
der. Missourians called them "Jayhawkers". Some fought 
solely against slavery, but most of them were rascals, thieves, 
and robbers. Finally, Governor Stewart called out the Mis- 
souri militia, and the Kansas and the United States Govern- 
ment sent troops to put an end to such conditions. In 1860 




ROBERT M. STEWART 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 1 43 

quiei was again restored to be followed in 1861 with war be- 
tween the states. 

The Election of 1860 and the Division of Parties 

The election of 1860 is one of the most important in 
American history. It marked the break-up of the old parties, 
the rise of the Republican party to national power, and, by the 
election of Lincoln to the presidency, led to the secession of 
the southern states. However, in Missouri, it showed the re- 
markable organization of the state Democratic party, the vot- 
ing strength of the conservative Whigs who now voted for the 
new Constitutional Union party, and, most important, an over- 
whelming desire by Missourians for peace, compromise, and 
conservatism. Missourians knew by experience what radical 
proslavery or radical antislavery policy meant. Either led to 
war. Missourians also knew the effects of war. They had 
had experience on Kansas soil and on Missouri soil. 

The national political situation in 1860 was a result of 
the old Kansas-Nebraska bill of 1854, which had killed the 
Whig party, and of slavery in the territories, which now split 
the old Democratic party. The new Republican party of the 
North was opposed to more slave territories. Its leader was 
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. It was the extreme antislavery 
party of the North. Many of the old Whigs and conservatives 
of the nation rallied under a new party called the Constitu- 
tional Union party. The Constitutional Union party stood for 
compromise on the slavery question and for preservation of 
the Union. Its candidate for president was John Bell, of Ten- 
nessee. It was the most conservative of all the parties. The 
old Democratic party divided into two parties, a northern and 
a southern. The cause of this division was the question of 
slavery in the territories. The northern Democrats were mod- 
erate and conservative. They wanted the people in a territory 
to have the privilege of deciding for or against slavery. The 
candidate for president of the northern Democrats was 



144 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Stephen A. Douglass, of Illinois. These northern Demo- 
crats were called Douglass Democrats. Their proposed settle- 
ment of the slavery question was the same as had been tried in 
Kansas. The southern Democrats remembered how the Kan- 
sas affair had ended in a victory for the antislavery peopde and 
they did not want to try this method again. They organized 
and nominated John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky. The 
Breckenridge Democrats, as they were called, demanded that 
Congress protect slavery in the territories. They were the ex- 
treme proslavery Democrats of the south. So, there were two 
radical parties. One was a northern party, the Republican,, 
against slaveiy, and the other was a southern party, the 
Breckenridge Democratic party, for slavery. There were also 
two moderate parties. One was the Constitutional Union 
party, for compromise, and the other, the Douglass Demo- 
cratic party, was for settlement of slavery by the people in a 
territory. 

The state election in Missouri was held in August 1860. 
There were four candidates for governor. Claiborne F. Jack- 
son was the Douglass Democratic candidate for governor; 
Sample Orr was the candidate of the conservatives or the old 
Whigs. The other two parties had candidates but the election 
really lay between Jackson and Orr, both running on moderate 
or conservative party tickets. The candidates of tlie other 
two parties, the Republican and Breckenridge Democratic, to- 
gether received only 10% of the votes cast. Jackson was 
elected governor. This election shows that Missouri was con- 
servative on the slavery question and stood for compromise,, 
since 90% of the votes cast were for the conservative parties. 
It shows that Missouri was opposed to J:he two extreme or 
radical parties, since these two parties combined received only 
10% of the votes. On the other hand, the radical proslavery 
party, the Breckenridge Democratic, elected the largest num- 
ber of men to the Legislature, and they and the Douglass mem- 
bers were easily in the majority. In other words, the election 



Missouri Politics, 1844-1860 I45 

was a Democratic victory with the Douglass Democrats win- 
ning the governorship and the Douglass and Breckenridge 
Democrats controlling the Legislature. 

The national election, held in Missouri in November, 1860, 
gave similar results. Douglass carried Missouri over Bell by 
a very small margin. These two together received 70% of the 
votes cast, and Brenckenridge and Lincoln received 30%. 
Alissouri was still in favor of the moderate or conservative 
parties. However, the radical parties, both the antislavery 
Republican and the proslavery Breckenridge Democratic party, 
were gaining strength. The strength of the Republicans was 
in St. Louis and the neighboring German population counties. 
The voting strength of the Breckenridge Democrats was main- 
ly in the Ozark counties. The Constitutional Unionists were 
strongest in the old Whig slave counties, with scattering sup- 
port in the Ozarks. The Douglass Democrats carried the rest 
of the State. The principal thing to bear in mind regarding 
the two elections in Missouri in 1860 is the decision of Mis- 
souri to take a moderatie, conserv^ative stand. Missouri feared 
what a victory of either of the radical parties might bring — 
war. And Missouri did not want war if peace could be kept 
through moderation and compromise. War to Missouri meant 
not only a conflict between North and South, but it meant civil 
strife inside Missouri. By 1860 Missouri had a population of 
1,063,000 whites and 115,000 slaves. Missouri had too many 
slaves for her people to be entirely antislavery in sentiment and 
she had too few slaves for her people to be entirely proslavery. 
Missouri had a divided population. She was a border state 
between North and South. Eveiy interest of Missouri lay in 
the direction of peace and compromise. 



146 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Compare the political period of 1844 to 1860 with the period of 
1820 to 1844. 

2. Show how immigration into Missouri affected the political 
parties. 

3. Why is the election of 1844 important? 

4. Why did Benton and his followers oppose the annexation of 
Texas? 

5. Since Missouri was Democratic how do you explain the elec- 
tion of a Whig United States senator in 1851? 

6. How do you explain Benton's opposition to the "Jackson 
Resolutions?" 

7. What are the causes which contributed to the defeat of Ben- 
ton? 

8. Why did the Legislature fail to elect Missouri's second United 
States senator in 1855? 

9. Explain the break up of the political parties from 1852 to 1857. 

10. Why were the Democrats able to elect their candidate, Sterl- 
ing Price, for governor in 1852? 

11. What was the effect of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill on the politi- 
cal parties? 

12. Why was Missouri so vitally interested in the Kansas Strug- 
gle? 

13. Classify the four political parties in 1860, stating what each 
party stood for. 

14. The result of the election of 1860 proved that Missouri wished 
to take what attitude on the slavery issue? 



Chapter III 

CIVIL WAR POLITICS AND RADICAL REPUBLICAN 
RULE, 1861-1870 

The ten years from 1861 to 1870 are ihe most important 
and significant in Missouri political history. The events which 
occurred in Missouri during this decade not only influenced 
American history and decided Missouri history of that day but 
their effects determined Missouri's political history for a third 
of a century afterward and shaped Missouri's taxation policy 
and even her constitution for nearly fifty years. Such an im- 
portant period deserves the clearest explanation and the most 
serious study. Important issues and decisive events followed 
each other quickly. Hardly was one question settled until a 
new problem arose and demanded attention. 

In the beginning of this period the problem was would 
Missouri s^and for the North or the South? Would Missouri. 
stand by the Union or secede? The majority of Missourians 
wanted peace and compromise and the Union preserved. 
Then the Civil War opened. Missouri hoped to remain neu-, 
tral, but she could not. Her State government elected in 1860 
sided with the South and was forced to flee from the State be- 
fore the Union army. A provisional government was established 
which stood for the Union. Missouri had finally decided this 
problem. Then came the issue of freeing the slaves in Mis- 
souri. The conservative Union men in Missouri wanted only 
gradual emancipation. They were opposed by the radical 
Union men who wanted immediate emancipation. These radi- 
cal Republicans, or Radicals as they were called, were in the 
minority but soon they grew stronger. In 1864 they took 
possession of the State government. They framed a new con- 
stitution in 1865, freed the slaves immediately, and disquali- 
fied from voting and holding office practically all Missourians 

(147) 



148 History of Missouri and Missourians 

who opposed them. They kept control until 1870. As a result 
of their policy, a new party called the Liberal Republican was 
i^ornied by many of the old Republicans and Union men. 
Other Republicans and Union men combined with old Whigs 
and old Union Democrats and formed a new Democratic 
party. The new Democratic party could do little by itself but 
it did all it could to help the Liberal Republicans. Finally, in 
1870 the Liberal Republicans defeated the Radicals. 

The rule of the Radicals was so extreme and harsh and 
was so hated by the majority of Missourians that its memory 
did much eventually to place and keep in power the Demo- 
cratic party for thirty years. Again the large war debt of Mis- 
souri and her railroad debt made taxes very high between 
1865 and 1870. This caused Missourians to place in their new 
constitution of 1875 restrictions on levying taxes and contract- 
ing debts. Since 1870 Missouri has feared high taxes and for 
years much of this fear was based on her experience during 
the decade from 1861 tt) 1870. 

Again, before considering this period in detail, it should 
be remembered that the elections of 1860 in Missouri showed 
that Missourians stood for compromise, conservatism, and 
peace, and did not approve either the radical proslavery or the 
radical antislavery party. During this period party names 
meant little or nothing. Issues meant everything. During this 
period the conservatives were victorious in the beginning. 
Then the prosouthern radicals had their way in making the 
old State government join the South. Three years later the 
antislavery radicals had their way in taking the control of the 
new provisional State government from the Union conserva- 
tives, in emancipating the slaves, and in disfranchising the ma- 
jority of the voters in Missouri. In short, the period began 
with the conservatives in power. Then the radicals, although 
always in the minority, obtained control, and in 1870 the con- 
servatives again returned. 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 



Missouri for Compromise and Conservatism 



He was a successful 



The State election of 1860 showed that Missourians were 
for compromise and conservatism. In reality both the new 
governor and the largest single faction of the Legislature were 
prosouthern. Governor Claiborne F. Jackson of Howard 
county, was a native of Kentucky 
merchant and soon went into poli- 
tics where he achieved success in 
both houses of the Legislature. He 
was one of the new Democrat lead- 
ers who had helped defeat Benton. 
Just before his inaugural address to 
the Legislature, South Carolina 
had seceded (Dec. 21, 1860). In 
this address, he favored Missouri 
joining the South if the Union were 
dissolved and he recommended call- 
ing a State convention to consider 
the relation of Missouri to the 
Union. However, Governor Stew- 
art in his farewell address at the 
same time urged Missouri to stand by the Union 
Missouri do? 

The Legislature did not want to decide a problem so im- 
portant. Ii, accordingly, called a state-wide election of dele- 
gates to a State Convention to consider this question. The 
prosouthern leaders hoped the people would elect prosouthern 
delegates, the Union leaders wanted Union delegates. Both 
sides were active. The Missouri leader of the new Republi- 
can party was Frank P. Blair of St. Louis. He had been a 
Democrat and a follower of Benton. He did not oppose 
slavery but he did oppose slavery in the territories. Above all 
things he was an unconditional Union man. He was bom in 
Kentucky. On coming to St. Louis he practiced law but soon 




CL.MBORNE F. JACKSON 

What would 



ISO 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



drifted into politics. He was a remarkable man, one of the 
greatest Missouri has produced. His father had been an influ- 
ential politician in Washington, D. C, under President Jack- 
son, and his brother became a member of President Lincoln's 
cabinet. Frank P. Blair now worked unceasingly to keep Mis- 
souri in the Union. 

The vast majority of Missourians wanted to see the 
Union preserved. They hoped to see a compromise between 
the North and the South. Part of them including all the Re- 
publicans and a number of the northern Democrats and some 
old Whigs, were "unconditional Union men." They were de- 
termined that Missouri should remain in the Union at any 
cost. Blair was their leader. The larger part of the Union 
men, however, were "conditional Union men." They wanted 
the Union preserved but they would not agree to keeping Mis- 
souri in the Union at any cost. They said that Missouri might 
even join the South under certain causes, but they would not 
pledge Missouri to join the' South even if compromise failed. 
In short, they were for the Union but not for it under all cir- 
cumstances. These "conditional Union men" included the 
great mass of Missourians. Since they were for the Union, 
they worked with the "unconditional Union men" to that 
extent. Under Blair's leadership a Union ticket was put out. 
Opposing them was a small group which favored immediate 
secession. The election was held in February 1861. The 
Union ticket won by an overwhelming majority. Missouri 
had again decided for compromise and conservatism and for 
the preservation of the Union. 

The State Convention for Compromise and Conserva- 
tism AT its First Meeting — March 1861 

Missouri never had a state convention which more accu- 
rately represented the wishes of her citizens on a great issue 
than did the first meeting of the State Convention of 1861. The 
people had elected their ablest leaders. The Convention met 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 I^I 

in Jefferson City and after electing Sterling Price president 
adjourned to St. Louis. Price was undoubtedly the most 
popular man in Missouri. He had won honor in the Mexican 
War, had been trusted by Benton and anti-Benton men, and 
had made Missouri a good governor. He was a conservative, 
conditional Union man. A committee on resolutions was ap- 
pointed. Its chairman was Hamilton R. Gamble, of St. Louis, 
an able, conservative, conditional Union man. He was 
respected by all. Another leader of the conditional Union 
delegates was John B. Henderson, of Pike county. Certainly 
the Conv^ention was under able leadership. 

The resolution committee presented several resolutions. 
The three miportant ones were: first, that at present there was 
no sufficient cause for Missouri to secede; second, that Mis- 
souri wovild support all attempts at compromise between the 
North and the South ; and third, that both the North and the 
South should avoid civil war. The Convention adopted these 
resolutions, which undoubtedly reflected the wishes of most 
Missourians. The Convention also decided not to dissolve but 
merely to adjourn subject to call by a permanent committee, 
which it appointed. 

The Convention at this meeting was carefully feeling its 
way. Its resolutions spoke for the Union, compromise, and 
peace. It was, as were Missourians, a conditional Union body. 
It did not openly stand for the Union under all circumstances, 
but on the other hand, it did not stand for secession even if 
compromise failed. It was simply a conservative body want- 
ing peace and preservation of the Union. It would not even 
say what Missouri would do in case a comproimise failed. 
Missouri herself did not know. The two minority parties 
knew what they wanted Missouri to do. The prosouthem men 
of the State government favored compromise but did not think 
it was possible. They believed war would come and then they 
wanted Missouri to secede and join the South. Governor 
Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds were their leaders. 



1^2 History of Missouri and Missourians 

The unconditional Union men, largely Republicans, wanted 
Missouri to stand and fight for the Union if war came. Frank 
P. Blair was their leader. Events soon occurred which swept 
all Missourians, even the conditional Unionists, into one or the 
other of these two opposing sides. The real political struggle 
for Missouri was now at hand. 

The Spring of 1861 and the Capture of Camp Jackson 

The State convention adjourned, subject to future call, on 
March 22nd. The Legislature adjourned on the 28th. The 
southern sympathizers were much stronger in the Legislature 
than in the Convention. These southern leaders in the Legis- 
lature had tried to pass a bill reorganizing the State militia 
whereby the State could be better armed but in this they failed. 
The kind of delegates elected to the Convention showed that 
Missouri wanted peace, not war. An effort was also made in 
the Legisbture to re-elect Senator James S. Green, an avowed 
secessionist. He had made a remarkably able senator but 
owing to his open sympathy for the South he was not elected. 
Waldo P. Johnson, of St. Clair county, was elected. Senator 
Johnson was a lawyer and a Democrat. He was regarded as a 
Union man and as being more conservative than Green. How- 
ever, during the war Green took no part except to warn his 
friends that the North would win. Johnson was expelled from 
the United States Senate in 1862 and fought for the Confed- 
eracy. 

While the Legislature and the Convention were passing 
only consei*vative laws, hoping for compromise, and calling for 
peace and neutrality, another set of men were quietly and effi- 
ciently preparing to fight to keep Missouri in the Union. 
These were the unconditional Union men — the American and 
German Republicans — in St. Louis. Their leader was Frank 
P. Blair. They not only voted in the day time but they drilled 
at night. They not only elected Union delegates to the Con- 
vention but they organized military clubs to do battle later. 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 1 53 

They had no guns but no militia was harder trained. They 
called themselves the "Wide Awakes" which was a fitting 
name. Their general purpose was to prepare to fight for the 
Union and to keep Missouri in the Union. Their immediate 
purpose was to prevent the United States arsenal at St. Louis, 
with its 40,000 guns and stores of ammunition, from falHng 
into the hands of the Missouri secessionists and the South. 
With Blair as their leader they drilled all winter. Soon a new 
man appeared who was a captain in the United States army. 
He and Blair worked together. They both had courage, they 
saw civil war coming, and they were prepared to fight for the 
Union. This man was Captain Nathaniel Lyon. 

Captain Lyon, or General Lyon as he was later called, was 
not a Missourian but was a native of Connecticut. In fact, he 
lived in our State only a few months. Still no other man so 
influenced our history in so short a time as did General Lyon. 
He was an army man and a graduate of West Point. He op- 
posed slavery and hated secession. His one passion was for 
the Union. Their first work was to get possession of the St. 
Louis arsenal and crush any secession movement in Missouri. 

Opposing them in their purpose were the leading officials 
in the State government, especially Governor Jackson and 
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds. These latter were in favor of 
the South and they soon became the Missouri leaders in favor 
of secession. On April 13, 1861, Fort Sumter in South Caro- 
lina surrendered to the Confederates. The Civil War had be- 
gun. President Lincoln called for 75,000 men. Missouri's 
quota was 4,000. The request for them was telegraphed to 
Governor Jackson. Three days later Governor Jackson 
refused to furnish a man. Four days later the United States 
arsenal at Liberty, Missouri, with its 11,000 pounds of powder 
and 1,500 guns, was quietly captured by prosouthern men. 
Blair and Lyon determined to act. 

Early in 1861 Governor Jackson had planned to capture 
the St. Louis arsenal. Although Blair and Lyon prevented this 



1^4 History of Missouri and Missourians 

by themselves occupying it, a State military camp was estab- 
lished nearby by order of Governor Jackson. This was called 
Camp Jackson. Its soldiers were prosouthern men. Much of 
its arms had come from the South. General Lyon regarded it 
as a secession camp. On May 10th, with 7,000 men, he sur- 
rounded it. There were only 700 men in it under General 
Frost when he surrendered. After being disarmed, they waited 
in line. Thousands of St. Louis citizens gathered to see 
Lyon's troops and the prisoners. Some jeered Lyon's men, 
others threw sticks and stones. The soldiers, many of whom 
were Germans, became excited. A few shots were fired, then 
a volley was fired. Some innocent spectators were killed, 
three of the prisoners, and one of the soldiers. The news flew 
over Missouri and grew larger and more terrible with each 
retelling. The St. Louis Germans were reported as robbing 
and killing everywhere and as being ready to march over 
Missouri. What was the result? It enabled Governor Jack- 
son to control the Legislature and to arm Missouri ; it caused 
Sterling Price to go with his State for the South ; it gave 
strength to the secessionists in Missouri ; it swung hundreds of 
men into the southern cause ; and it virtually marked the open- 
ing of civil war in Missouri with both sides determined to fight 
it out. 

The Legislature, which had been in special session since 
May 2nd, now immediately passed a militaiy bill reorganizing 
the State Militia on a war basis. The bill was passed within 
thirty minutes after the Camp Jackson news was telegraphed 
to Jefferson City. A few days later it appropriated over two 
million dollars to prepare Missouri for defence. Neither of 
these measures could have been passed had there been no 
Camp Jackson affair. However, so angry and excited was 
the State that a formal act of secession might have been 
passed if ihe people had not referred this subject to the 
Convention. 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 155 

Both sides in Missouri now prepared for war. General 
Price offered his services to the Missouri State Government. 
He was appointed commander of the State troops. General 
Lyon and Clair were also busy. Each side was arming. Com- 
promise was attempted, but finally all peaceful effort failed. 
War in Missouri was openly accepted by both sides on June 
11, 1861. On that day three State officials met with three 
Union officials at the Planters Hotel in St. Louis. The two 
opposing leaders were Governor Jackson and General Lyon. 
Governor Jackson proposed to keep Missouri absolutely neu- 
tral, aiding neither the North nor the South, and repelling all 
attempts at invasion. He virtually proposed abandonment of 
secession and of aid to the South. In return he asked that the 
Federal Government disarm the Home Guards (Blair's "Wide 
Awakes") and not extend further its military control over 
Missouri. Lyon refused. He regarded Missouri as part of 
the United States and as subject to the authority of the United 
States. Where his Government was concerned he would not 
agree to or grant a single concession. Governor Jackson now 
wanted peace and neutrality for Missouri. In this he probably 
represented the majority of Missourians. General Lyon 
wanted no neutrality for Missouri. The National Government 
to him must be free to act. This meant war. The story of 
that war will be told under "A Century of Military Missouri." 

Governor Jackson and Secession 

Within twenty-four hours after the meeting at the Plan- 
ters Hotel, Governor Jackson issued a proclamation calling for 
50,000 volunteers. He soon went to Boonville and then turned 
south. Battles were now being fought on Missouri soil be- 
tween the Missouri State troops under General Price and the 
Union troops under General Lyon. But Missouri and even her 
old State Government had not formally seceded. Governor 
Jackson issued a call for a special session of the Legislature to 
meet at Neosho, Mo., on October 21, 1861. Only a few mem- 



ic6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

bers met. They passed an act of secession declaring Missouri's 
withdrawal from the Union. The United States Government 
never regarded Missouri as out of the Union, but the Con- 
federacy accepted this secession act as legal. The secession 
legislature elected John B. Clark, Sr., and R. L. Y. Peyton to 
the Confederate Senate and eight men to the Confederate 
House, at Richmond, Virginia. Missouri was thereafter 
always represented in the Confederate Congress and some of 
these men later played a very important part in Missouri's 
political history. This legislature adjourned to Cassville and 
then disbanded. After this session, all Missourians who fought 
for the South were called Confederates, before this they had 
been called members or soldiers of the State Guard. 

Governor Jackson went south and died at Little Rock, 
Ark., on December 6, 1862. Lieutenant Governor Reynolds 
now became the Confederate governor of Missouri. He had 
no power, however, and made only appointments to the Con- 
federate Congress. The real power was in a new government 
that had been established by the Convention in July 1861. 

The Provisional Government of Missouri, 1861-1864 

The State Convention held its second session in Jefferson 
City beginning July 22, 1861. The members of the old Legis- 
lature had dispersed. Governor Jackson and his officials had 
fled south, and General Price was now at the head of the 
Missouri State Guards fighting the Union forces. The Con- 
vention immediately formed a new State government, called 
the Provisional Government. Only twenty delegates besides 
Price had left the Convention and it was now a strong but 
conservative Union body. It was determined to keep Missouri 
in the Union and to help preserve the Union. Just as the 
Camp Jackson affair and the Planters Hotel conference had 
welded together the prosouthern men so had these welded to- 
gether the Union men. Both realized that war was now inevit- 



Missouri Politics, 1861-187C 



157 



able and that one must take his stand for the Union or for the 
old State Government and the South. 

The Convention at this second meeting made Robert Wil- 
son, of Andrew county, president. It declared vacant the 
offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, 
and the seats of all members of the legislature. On July 30th, 
it appointed men to fill the first three offices for one year and 
made provision for electing a legislature but later postponed 
the election. In fact, the Convention was a Union legislature 
and the only legislature having power in Missouri until after 
the November election of 1862. 
Hamilton R. Gamble, of St. Louis, 
was appointed governor and Wil- 
lard P. Hall, of St. Joseph, lieuten- 
ant governor. Both men were 
finely fitted for these offices at 
this time. Governor Gamble was a 
native of Virginia. He was a 
lawyer and had practiced first in 
Howard county and later in St. 
Louis. He had served Missouri as 
secretary of state, as a legislator, 
and as a member of the Missouri 
Supreme Court. He had been a 
Whig, then a conditional Union 
man, and was now a conservative but determined Union 
man. He was religious, honest, and able. He commanded 
the respect of all conservatives and even most radicals. 
Willard P. Hall was a native of Virginia. He was a lawyer 
of high ability. He was a man of education, being a gradu- 
ate of Yale. He had served Missouri in the Mexican War 
and in Congress. He was a strong but conservative Union 
man. On the death of Governor Gamble in January 1864, 
he becam? governor and served one year. The Missouri 




HAMILTON R. GAMBLE 




nI58 History of Missouri and Missourians 

conservatives now had a Union 
government, moderate and wisely 
guided. The Convention also de- 
clared void the new militia law of 
the old legislature. 

The provisional government had 
the support of all conservatives. 
It had at first three great prob- 
lems to solve. It needed money 
but taxes could not be secured 
because the State was in confusion 
and war. It solved this by issuing 
and selling bonds. Again, some of 

WILLARD p. HALL ^^^ ^j^jj ^^^-^^^^ ^^^6 nOt loyal SUp- 

porters of the new government. It solved this when the Con- 
vention held its third meeting, in October 1861. At this meet- 
ing an ordmance was passed requiring all officers to take an 
oath of loyalty to both the United States government and the 
Missouri provisional government. Those officers who refused 
to take this oath were ousted and their places were filled with 
loyal men. This ordinance also provided that any person tak- 
ing this oath before December 17, 1861, would be exempt 
from arrest for offenses previously committed against the 
provisional government. Many took this oath of loyalty. 
Finally, it was difficult to enforce the laws of the State, keep 
the courts open, and give her citizens a fair jury trial. Mis- 
souri was now under martial law, laid down and enforced by 
military officers. This problem was never fully solved until 
peace was declared in 1865. 

Soon another problem arose. Missouri's two United 
States senators, Trusten Polk and Waldo P. Johnson, had gone 
with the South and both were expelled from the United States 
Senate on charges of disloyalty on January 10, 1862. In the 
absence of Governor Gamble, two new senators were appointed 
by Lieutenant Governor Hall, until the Legislature could fill 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 l^o 

the vacancies. But Missouri now had no legislature and no 
date had been set for electing one. The Convention had post- 
poned such an election fearing a new legislature might over- 
turn much which had been done to keep Missouri strongly 
supporting the Union. Not all Missourians were loyal to t'he 
new government, and the Convention was not taking chances. 
However, it was becoming clear that an election must be held 
at least to elect a legislature and congressmen. The people had 
supported the Convention even though many of its acts could 
be excused only on the basis of necessity but would the people 
continue to support it on that basis in the future? It had been 
elected in February 1861 to consider the relations of Missouri 
to the Union. Since July 1861 it had created the executive 
department of a new government and had itself really become 
the legislative department without restriction on its power. 
In exercise of powers it was a convention, legislature and 
government combined. A State election of some kind was 
becoming important. Moreover, a new issue, was quickly ris- 
ing. This was the question of emancipation, or freeing the 
slaves. 

The Convention met a fourth time on call of Governor 
Gamble, June 2, 1862. It provided for a general election in 
November, 1862, of congressmen and members of the legisla- 
ture. A test oath was required of all voters. This was the 
first real voter's test oath in Missouri and, although strict, it 
was mild compared to a later one. It required all voters to 
swear allegiance to the United States Government and not to 
give aid to its enemies or to those of the provisional govern- 
ment. It further required each voter to swear that he had not 
taken up arms against either of these two governments since 
December 17, 1861. (The date of the first oath of allegiance.) 
This oath was also required of all elective and appointive civil 
officers, jurymen, attorneys, preachers, and teachers. The 
Convention thereby disqualified all voters who had not been 
loyal Union men since December 17, 1861. Only loyal Union 



l6o History of Missouri and Missourians 

men could now hold office, vote, serve on juries, practice law, 
preach, or teach. Missouri was rapidly being welded into a 
strong Union state with her government in the control of 
Union men, but these men were still moderate and conserva- 
tive compared to those who came later. The Convention did 
not include the state offices in the November 1862 election. 
Instead, it decided that Governor Gamble and Lieutenant 
Governor Hall should hold office for a full four year term, i. 
e., until the 1864 election. At this meeting of the Convention 
the new issue of emancipation first rose to prominence. An 
ordinance providing for gradual emancipation was presented 
but was voted down by the Convention by a large majority. It 
was this issue of emancipation, however, that kept growing 
stronger and stronger until it forced the conservative Union 
men in Missouri to compromise and finally forced them out of 
power and replaced them with the radicals. In short, it was 
the question of emancipation which gave rise to two new 
parties in Missouri, the consei'vatives and the radicals. The 
question is so important and its history is so significant that it 
will be considered under a separate heading in this chapter. 

The main issue in the November 1862 election in Missouri 
was emancipation. A large majority of the members elected to 
the Legislature favored some kind of emancipation. They 
were divided on the kind, whether immediate or gradual. 
However, they could do nothing, since the Missouri constitu- 
tion of 1820 prohibited the Legislature from emancipating the 
slaves without giving compensation to or obtaining the consent 
of their owners. Missouri at this time had no funds available 
for this purpose even had the members agreed on the method. 
So the Legislature decided to leave this issue to the old Con- 
vention of 1861. 

The Legislature then proceeded to elect John B. Hender- 
son, of Pike county (now of St. Louis), and B. Gratz Brown, 
of St. Louis, to the United States Senate. Senator Henderson 
was one of two men who had been appointed to the United 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 l6i 

States Senate by Lieut. Gov. Hall in 1862, the other was Rob- 
ert Wilson of Andrew county. Senator Wilson was a native 
of Virginia. He served Missouri as a soldier. State senator, 
and United States senator. He had l)een a Whig and was now 
a Union man. He was a lawyer. Senator Henderson was a 
native of Virginia. He had been a Democrat, then a con- 
ditional Union man, but was now one of the strong conserative 
Union men in the Convention. He was a very able lawyer. In 
Congress he served with marked success and was the author of 
the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution freeing 
the slaves. B. Gratz Brown was bom in Kentucky. He was a 
cousin of Frank P. Blair and of General Joseph Shelby, the 
famous Missouri Confederate cavaliy leader. Both Blair and 
Brown became unconditional Union men but were now 
classed as conservatives on the question of emancipation. 
Brown later became one of the leaders of the Liberal Republi- 
can movement in Missouri after the Civil War. He was a 
journalist and an able one. This Legislature held a second 
session in November 1863 and on Februaiy 13, 1864, passed 
an act providing for the people to vote in November 1864 on 
the question of holding a constitutional convention. The peo- 
ple in that election approved the proposition. 

On January 31, 1864, Governor Gamble died. He had 
wrecked his health trying to give Missouri a moderate govern- 
ment in time of war. He had done all he could to keep the 
radicals from getting control because he feared what their rule 
would be in Missouri. He was truly a noble character. On 
his death Governor Hall became acting governor and served 
until after the election in 1864. He was the last of the old, 
conservative provisional government of Missouri. 

Emancipation, 1863-1865 

Although Missouri was a slave state with 115,000 slaves 
in 1860, there had always been some sentiment against slavery. 
Moreover, Missouri's slaves were not increasing so fast as her 



1 62 History of Missouri and Missourians 

white population. This had been true since 1830, when Mis- 
souri's slaves had been 21% as large in number as her white 
population, while in 1860 they were only 11% as large. Over 
two-thirds of these slaves were in a very few counties along 
the Missouri and the Mississippi river and the rest of the 
slaves were so sparsely scattered as to have little influence on 
a big political issue. Again, slavery was not adapted to Mis- 
souri agriculture. Slaves are profitable only on big planta- 
tions. But Missouri never adopted the plantation system. 
The only two Missouri crops in which slaves could very 
profitably be used were tobacco and hemp, and only certain 
sections of Missouri were adapted to these crops. Finally, 
Missouri's population was changing. Her northern and her 
German settlers of the '50s were not proslaver}^ men. Usually 
they were against slavery. Even many southern bom Missou- 
rians did not approve of slavery but owing to its existence 
here they kept quiet. 

After the war opened slaveiy in Missouri practically came 
to an end. It was now an easy matter for a slave to run away 
into a free state or escape to the Union amiy. The demand 
for emancipation grew and conditions were such as to present 
little opposition. When General Fremont came to Missouri in 
1861 to command the Federal army, he issued a proclamation 
freeing the slaves of all owners in arms against the United 
States. This immediately aroused the people. It was prema- 
ture. President Lincoln at once disapproved it and soon Fre- 
mont was removed from Missouri. President Lincoln wanted 
to keep the loyalty of the border states like Kentuck}^ and Mis- 
souri. He realized that emancipation might become an issue. 
During the winter of 1861 and 1862 he advocated paying the 
owners for their slaves in these border states and a bill nearly 
passed both houses of Congress in December 1862 providing 
for this in Missouri. If it had passed, Missouri would very 
likely have supported it. 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 163 

Although the question of emancipation had been voted 
down in the vState Convention in June 1862, the Legislature 
elected in November 1862 was in favor of emancipation. But 
it refused to consider the issue owing to the 1820 constitutional 
provisions. The Legislature left this to the State Convention. 
In the meantime President Lincohi had issued his preliminary 
Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862, and his final 
one on January 1, 1863. These did not free the slaves in the 
border states but they did much to aid emancipation sentiment 
there. The leaders in the State Convention and also Governor 
Gamble were in favor of gradual emancipation. They feared 
the effect on public opinion and on the public safety of imme- 
diate emancipation. They realized, however, that a determined 
group of radicals, who were loyal Union men, were going to 
work hard for the immediate destruction of slavery. To pre- 
vent the radicals from doing this, the State Convention was 
convened for the fifth and last time in June 1863. It adopted 
a resolution of gradual emancipation freeing all slaves after 
July 4, 1870. Instead of appeasing the radicals this action only 
aroused them to greater activity. They not only opposed this 
resolution and the longer existence of slavery but they now 
opposed Governor Gamble's government. They held a Radi- 
cal political convention in Jefferson City where they adopted 
resolutions requesting Governor Gamble to resign. They ap- 
proved the vigorous prosecution of the v;ar by the United 
States government and President Lincoln's emancipation 
proclamation. They recommended that negro troops be em- 
ployed, and requested the State Legislature to call a constitu- 
tional convention to free the slaves at once. They sent a dele- 
gation to confer with President Lincoln or rather to criticise 
the way the war was being conducted in Missouri. President 
Lincoln refused to interfere further with slavery although he 
sympathized with them. 

The fight was now on between the conservatives and the 
radicals. The names Democrat and Republican meant nothing 



164 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



now. All who could vote were for the Union and against 
slavery. In the general election of 1864 tlie Radical Republi- 
cans, or Radicals as they were called, were victorious. They 
elected the governor and a majority of the Legislature. At the 
same time the people voted to hold a constitutional convention. 
The end of the conservative Union provisional government 
of Missouri had come. Missouri was now to have six years 
of Radical Rule. 

The Constitutional Convention of 1865 and Rule of the 
Radicals, 1864-1870 

I'he November 1864 election gave the Radicals control of 
the Missouri Legislature and of the Executive Department, 
and authorized the election of delegates to a new constitutional 
convention. To complete their control of Missouri, the Radi- 
cals needed only to elect Radical delegates and get possession 

of the State Judiciary, i. e., the Su- 
preme and circuit courts. They 
soon accomplished these latter two 
and as a result remained in power 
until 1870. The new governor was 
Thomas C. Fletcher, the first na- 
tive Missourian to hold this office. 
He was born in Jefferson county, 
Missouri, had received a common 
school education, and was a lawyer. 
He had long opposed slavery, had 
early become a Republican, and had 
served in the Union army. He was 
re-elected governor in 1866 and 
served until 1868. He was Missou- 
ri's first Republican governor. Governor Fletcher was a 
Radical and carried out the will of the Radicals. 

The Civil War had practically ended in Missouri but the 
State was not at peace. The law was not enforced in many 




THOMAS C. FLETCHER 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 165 

parts of the State and in other parts its method of enforce- 
ment did not give justice. Taxes were high and kept increas- 
ing. Missouri had a large railroad and a large war debt to 
pay. Bandits were still present in some counties. Soldiers 
from both Northern and Southern armies were returning after 
the war. Everything was unsettled, people were discontented 
and discouraged, the Southern states were undergoing the 
pains and sufferings of reconstruction, and radical men were 
in control of the National government and the State govern- 
ment. Many men in the North although not a majority 
hated and distrusted the men of the South. Some feared that 
the South would resort to arms as soon as possible. Others 
wanted to take revenge on the beaten foe for the sufferings 
and cost caused during the war. When war comes to a country 
there usually is first great enthusiasm. As it progresses, this 
gives place to waves of depression in defeat and of elation in 
victory. Later comes stern determination. When the war 
ends the victors are usually filled with joy and the defeated are 
humble in sorrow. Then comes the real test. Will the victors 
deal generously or severely with the foe? It takes great 
courage to deal generously for it demands that faith and trust 
be placed in those against whom the war was waged, the 
enemy. Most countries have failed in this great test and bit- 
terness and hatred grow instead of faith, hope, and lasting 
peace. Perhaps the finest example of a nation meeting this 
test successfully was the United States after having defeated 
Spain. To-day there are no hard feelings between victorious 
America and defeated Spain. Our country had faith and trust. 
The Radicals in Missouri in 1865, although some were 
men of high ability, did not have faith in their fellow citizens. 
They were possibly honest in their convictions in the beginning 
but they were wrong in many of their methods. Finally, con- 
victions gave place to policy and government positions. The 
radical emancipationist and radical loyalist became the radical 



1 66 History of Missouri and Missourians 

politician, his leaders left him, and his fellow citizens finally 
overthrew him. 

The delegates elected to the new constitutional convention 
met in St. Louis on January 6, 1865. It was controlled by the 
Radicals who elected Arnold Krekel, of St. Charles, president, 
and Charles D. Drake, of St. Louis, vice-president. Drake 
was the leading power in this convention. He was a native of 
Ohio. He had served as a cadet in the United States navy and 
later had practiced law in Ohio, Illinois, and St. Louis. He 
was a very able lawyer and legal author. He had served in 
the old State Convention from 1861 to 1863 ; was the leader in 
the constitutional convention of 1865 ; was elected Missouri's 
United States senator in 1867; and became chief justice of the 
United States Court of Claims in 1870. The constitution 
framed by the convention was correctly called the "Drake 
Constitution." On January 11, 1865, just five days after con- 
vening, the convention by a vote of 60 to 4, immediately abol- 
ished slavery in Missouri. Governor Fletcher issued a procla- 
mation to that effect on the day following. The emancipation 
ordinance was never submitted to the peple, the convention 
having voted against such submission. Thus Missouri emanci- 
pated her own slaves eleven months before the Thirteenth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted. 

Having settled the slavery question the convention then 
framed a new constitution for Missouri. This constitution was 
both good and bad. It was good in being more modem and 
progressive in some respects than the old one. It dealt with 
corporations, which were then coming into prominence in 
Missouri's economic life. It contained improved provisions on 
education. Of doubtful value was the changing of the 
governor's term from four to two years. But its good 
character was nullified by its bad features. These features 
i'elated to voting, office holding, preaching, teaching, and 
practicing law. They all came under a new test oath which 
was well called "The Ironclad Oath." By this oath an at- 



Missouri Politics, 1801-1870 1 67 

lempt was made to exclude from voting, office, or public 
influence all except the old unconditional Union men. It 
provided that no man could vote or hold office unless he 
took an oath that he had never by word or deed given aid or 
sympathy to the South or to those fighting against the United 
States Government. This oath was also required of all 
lawyers, teachers, and ministers, before they could practice 
their professions. An oath of loyalty and allegiance was 
proper but not an ex post facto law applying to the past, 
present, and future. Many who at first in 1861 had sided 
with the old State Government against the National Govern- 
ment had later, after December 17, 1861, supported the pro- 
visional government. This oath included them the same as 
the fighting Confederates. Besides, the war was over. Mis- 
souri needed a spirit of good will, not test oaths. There 
were further severe penalties attached to violation of this 
oath or to falsely taking the oath. Fines and even imprison- 
ment were set forth. These were like the cracker on a whip 
and stung the pride of a majority of Missourians. This oath 
ruined an otherwise good constitution, helped defeat the radi- 
cal party in charge of the government, and was repealed by 
the Missouri voters in November 1870. About all it accomp- 
lished was to breed ill will in Missouri, disfranchise a ma- 
jority of Missourians, and help keep the Radicals in power 
until 1870. Its effects, however, were greater. It spUt the 
old Union party and gave rise to the Liberal Republicans. 
It gave strength through adversity to the new Democratic 
party and its memory helped keep this new party in power 
for years. 

The new constitution was adopted by the convention on 
April 10, 1865, by a vote of 38 to 13. Although this vote 
showed a large majority for the constitution, it also revealed 
a number of delegates who opposed it. In fact, many of the 
Radicals did not approve the "Ironclad Oath". The conven- 
tion decided to submit the constitution to a vote of the peo- 



1 68 History of Missouri and Missourians 

pie on June 6th but the Radicals made certain that it would 
be adopted and go into force by providing two things. First, 
on]} those could vote on the constitution who took the "Iron- 
clad Oath". Second, the convention by ordinance threw out 
of office 'A\ judges and most of the county officers. The 
governor was given power to fill these vacancies by appoint- 
ment until a general election was held. This was called the 
"Ousting Ordinance". It was not submitted to the people. 
This "Ousting Ordinance" had been adopted March 17th. 
Its purpose was clear, The Radicals thereby obtained con- 
trol of the local offices in the county and of the State Judi- 
ciary from the circuit judges to the Supreme Court judges. 
There was now no chance of the State Supreme Court de- 
claring null and void any of the provisions of the new con- 
stitution including the "Ironclad Oath", the "Emancipation 
Ordinance", the "Ousting Ordinance", or the future acts of 
the Radicals. The Radicals by the election of 1864, the 
constitution of 1865, and the "^Ousting Ordinance", obtained 
complete control of the government machinery in Missouri. 
Despite all of these precautions, the new constitution was 
adopted by the people by a majority of less than 2,000 votes. 
Although the campaign for and against the constitution had 
been very bitter, thereby indicating that a large vote would 
be cast, still so strict was the "Ironclad Oath" that only 60% 
as many votes were cast as had been cast m November 1864. 
This meant that 40% of the Union voters of November 1864 
had either stayed at home through fear or disgust or they 
could not honestly take the "oath". There is little wonder 
that opposition against the Radicals grew fast. Besides, tht 
Radicals had just begun to rule. They had other plans which 
were soon to become laws. 

The Radical Legislature, elected in November 1864, met 
again in November 1865. The constitution of 1865 was now 
in force. It contained a provision, not mentioned before, 
which gave the Legislature authority to enact a system of 



I 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 169 

registering by districts the names of all qualified voters. 
This registry provision contained even more power than the 
"Ironclad Oath" and, eventually, caused even more oppo- 
sition. The Legislature proceeded to exercise this power. It 
passed the "Registry Act" of 1866. The State was divided 
into small districts. Over each district was placed a super- 
intendent of registration elected by the people. These super- 
intendents registered the names of the quahfied voters. Only 
such persons could vote. If the superintendent refused to 
register a person, that person could not vote. This new 
officer was the sole judge of voters. He had unlimted 
power. The State courts and the State government supported 
him. The bad part of the law was the way in which it was 
enforced. Radical superintendents, and they constituted the 
majority, registered only Radical voters. Other persons now 
had no voice in their government. The Radicals, although 
constituting only a minority of the people, ruled the State. 
But the "Registry Act" of 1866 and the other measures 
mentioned did one good thing. It forced the opposition to 
organize and co-operate. A new Democratic party appeared. 
Its leaders were such old Union Democrats as Lewis Bogy 
and John S. Phelps, both of whom later became governors. 
They did not have much material to work with since many 
of the old Union Democrats could not vote or were denied 
the vote and, of course, under the "Ironclad Oath" all of the 
old Southern Democrats were without the vote. A more im- 
portant party at this time was the new Conservative Union 
party. Its leader was the great Union Republican of 1860, 
Frank P. Blair. Its followers were largely conservative 
Republicans, who did not approve the new radical laws and 
methods. Separated, these two new parties could do noth- 
ing, so the Democrats agreed to support the Conservative 
Unionists in the 1866 election. They were easily defeated, 
however, by the Radicals, who won everything. After this 
defeat the Conservative L^nion party ceased to exist. How- 



I/O 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



ever, it had served two important purposes, in arousing the 
opponents of the Radicals and in strengthening the new 
Democratic party. 

The Radicals now saw another weakness in the law 
which might prove their defeat. The "Registry Act" of 1866 
made the superintendents of registry elected by the people. 
In some districts Democrats and in other districts Conserva- 
tive Union men had been elected. This was not good for 
the cause of the Radicals, so in 1868 a second "Registry 
Act" was adopted. This act made the superintendents 
appointive by the governor. The governor was a Radical. 
There was now no weakness in the Radical machinery. Their 
real weakness was to be in public opinion, which finally 
triumphed. 

The Democrats had now become well organized. Even 
in 1867 they had elected a Congressman to fill an unexpired 
term. In the same year the United States Supreme Court 
declared the "Ironclad Oath" as a qualification for practicing 
professions, unconstitutional, but as a voting qualification it 
was still legal. Frank P. Blair and most of the old Conser- 

native Unionists and many of the 
old Whigs now became Democrats. 
Despite the additions to the Demo- 
cratic ranks, the Radicals again 
won in 1868, electing the gover- 
nor, six of the nine congressmen, 
and carrying Missouri for Grant. 
The main cause of their victory 
was the "Registry Act" of 1868 
as it was enforced. Governor Mc- 
Clurg was the second native Mis- 
sourian to become Missouri's chief 
executive. He was born in St. 
Louis county. He had taught 
JOSEPH w. McCLURG school, practiced law, and then be- 




Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 171 

came a merchant after moving to Camden county. He was an 
unconditional Union man in 1860. He was the first governor 
to advocate prohibition by law. There was one surprise 
in this election. An amendment to the Missouri constitu- 
tion was defeated which would have given the negro the 
right to vote. It was bady defeated, showing that many 
Radicals as well as all Democrats opposed it. Before Mis- 
souri could take up this question again, however, the Fifteenth 
amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted, 
thereby settling it. The 1868 election marks the high-tide of 
power of the Radicals. Their downfall was due to a split 
within their own ranks. 

Many of the Radicals were now becoming insurgent. 
They disapproved of the Radical policies and methods. The 
foremost leader of the insurgents was a prominent Republi- 
can editor who came to Missouri in 1867. He was Carl 
Schurz, a man of German birth. Through his editorship of 
the IVestliche Post, a St. Louis German newspaper, and his 
wide influence over the (jermans in Missouri, he wielded 
great political power. In 1869 he was elected to the United 
States Senate. In 1870 he was chairman of the committee 
on resolutions in the Republican State Convention. His report 
advocated the removal of all political disabilities, i. e., the 
"Ironclad Oath", and the adoption by the people of the 
amendment proposed by the late Legislature granting to all 
classes the right to vote. A minority report of this com- 
mittee was made. This report opposed immediate removal 
of the political disabilities. The minority report was adopted. 
Schurz and 249 delegates, or about one-third of the total 
number, withdrew from the convention. These insurgents 
met, organized, and nominated a full ticket called the Liberal 
Republican ticket. B. Gratz Brown was their candidate for 
governor. Pie was a native of Kentucky and a cousin of 
Frank P. Blair and General Joseph Shelby. He was a 
lawyer. During the '50s he had been one of the Bentop 



172 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



leaders and had been an anti-slavery extension man. He had 
opposed secession and early became a Republican. He had 
served in the Union army and from 1863 to 1867 he had 
been one of Missouri's United States senators. 

The Democrats did not put out a ticket. They supported 
the Liberal Republicans, uho swept the State by a 
majority of 41,000. Brown was elected governor. The 
Democrats elected five congressmen, the Liberals two, and 
the Radicals three. The Democrats and the Liberals also 
elected the Legislature. However, the most important result 
of the election was the adoption by the people of six con- 
stitutional amendments removing the political disqualifica- 
tions on voting. The "Ironclad Oath" was repealed by a 
vote of 127,000 to 16,000. The power behind the Radicals 
had been taken away. The Liberal Republican movement 
spread over the Nation and national organization was per- 
fected in 1872. It advocated lower tariffs and civil service 
reform. It soon died and the Republican and Democratic 
parties alone remained as the two great parties. In Missouri, 
the Liberal Republicans and the Democrats again worked 
together successfully in the election of 1872. The great 
work of the Liberal Republicans was in the two elections of 
1870 and 1872. 

So ended the rule of the Radicals in Missouri. They 
had had strong leaders and they had exercised almost un- 
limited power since 1864. They ruined a good constitution 
with an "Ironclad Oath", which deprived the majority of 
Missourians from voting and holding office and many men 
from teaching, preaching and practicing law. They put a 
blot on a constitutional convention authorized by Missourians 
by ousting the legally elected judges of the States. They 
stigmatized themselves by "Registry Acts" which violated the 
sympathy and the sense of justice of most citizens and which 
drove from their own ranks the ablest and most influential 
leaders. Their rule left memories which lived half a century 



Missouri Politics, 1861-1870 ly^ 

both to the detriment of themselves, their party, and their 
State. Still, Missouri actually prospered, grew in wealth, 
and increased in population during the rule of the Radicals. 
Taxes were high, but the schools flourished as never before 
■considering the lack of education during four years of war. 
The first State appropriation was made for the support of 
the University of Missouri. The agriculture department of 
the university and the school of mines were established. A 
board of statistics was created. The state normal schools at 
Kirksville and Warrensburg, and Lincoln institute at Jeffer- 
son City, were founded. A state insurance department was 
created. A separate State superintendent of public schools 
was established. Progress was made in paying off the great 
railroad debts of the '50s and the war debt of the '60s. New 
settlers, mostly from northern states, poured in and helped 
develop Missouri's resources. In short, Missouri was pros- 
perous, growing, and advancing rapidly. These things all 
took place under the rule of the Radicals. The bad things — 
the "Ironclad Oath," the "Ousting Ordinance," and the 
^'Registry Acts," — are remembered and they should serve as 
warnings to future generations. The good things — emancipa- 
tion of the slaves, rapid payment of the debt, increase in 
wealth, growth in population, and advancement of educa- 
tion — are also remembered and tTiey should serve as guides. 
The reason for the failure of the Radicals was this: they 
could not forgive a fallen foe and trust their fellow-citizens. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. State the difference between the Liberal Republicans and the 
Radical Republicans. 

2. V>y whom was the new Democratic party formed? 

3. How docs the election of 1860 prove that Missouri stood for 
compromise and conservatism? 

4. What was the issue for calling a State Convention in 1861? 

5. Give the three important resolutions wiiich were adopted by 
the Convention? 



174 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



6. In what way did the Convention reflect the public opinion of 
Missouri? 

7. What preparation to keep Missouri in the Union was made by 
the Unconditional Union men under Blair? 

8. What was the effect in Missouri of the capture of Camp Jack- 
son? 

9. What were the events which led to the establishment of a pro- 
visional government in Missouri? 

10. Show how the people were divided in the election of 1862 on 
the issue of emancipation. 

11. Why do you think that slaves were not so profitable in Mis- 
souri as in some of the southern states? 

12. Why did President Lincoln disapprove General Fremont's 
emancipation proclamation? 

13. Explain the Ironclad Oath; the Ousting Ordinance; and the 
Registry Acts. 

14. Discuss the progress of public welfare during the Rule of the 
Radicals. 

15. Discuss the insurgent movement in the Radical party which 
gave rise to the Liberal Republican party. 



Chapter IV 

THE LIBERAL REPUBLICANS AND THE DEMO- 
CRATIC RETURN TO POWER, 1870-1904 

The Three Features of This Period 

The period of Missouri politics from 1870 to 1904 had 
three important features. If these features are remembered 
it will not be difficult to understand these thirty-four years. In 
the first place this period marked the growing power of the 
individual voter. The voter rather than the politician or the 
statesman said plainly what he wanted. The growing 
political power of the voters, or the people, made itself felt 
in several ways. It was reflected in the rise of third parties, 
that is, new parties other than the Democratic or Republican 
parties. Including the Liberal Republican party, not less 
than four "third" parties came into existence during this 
period. These four new parties were the Liberal Republi- 
can party of 1870 and 1872, the Grange (a Farmers' party) 
or People's party of 1874, the Greenback party of 1880, and 
the Populist party of 1892. There was also a Prohibition 
party but it never became strong. Each of the four new 
parties had a considerable following. Of course, the follow- 
ers of these new parties had once been followers of one of 
the old parties. These followers were simply attempting to 
exercise their political power as voters to obtain something 
they wanted from or through the government. The growing 
political power of the voters was also reflected in the fusing 
or absorbing of these four parties with one or the other of 
the two old parties or in the latter changing their policies so 
as to attract the new party. For example, the Democratic 
party absorbed many of the Liberal Republicans in 1872; 
the Republican party and the Grangers voted together in 
1874; the Democratic party absorbed many of the Green- 

(175) 



176 History of Missouri axd Missourians 

backers after 1880; and the Democratic party absorbed the 
PopuHsts in 1896. In each case the old party had to give 
something, that is, make a concession. In several cases the 
old party simply adopted the principle of the new party and 
the latter went to pieces. However the point to remember is 
that some of the voters broke away from their old party, 
organized a new one, and were usually induced to come back 
by concessions. In case only of the Liberal Republican was 
a new party successful on election day, but one new party 
was successful in 1896 in strongly influencing .the Demo- 
cratic party. Finally, the growing power of the voters was 
seen in the position taken by the people as compared to the 
position taken by their party leaders. The party leaders now 
followed or interpreted the people's wishes instead of the 
people following or interpreting the leaders actions. The 
old Democracy of Jackson and Benton, and the old Republi- 
canism of Lincoln, were passing. These three men, and 
there were others, had told the people what the people and 
the government should do. The people now told their party 
what was the problem and expected their leaders to solve it. 
In short, the people, or the voters, were now inclined to dic- 
tate and direct, while the leaders were kept busy trying to 
interpret the people's wishes and solve, or attempt to solve, 
their problems. It should not be understood that the voter 
was supreme and the political leader was a mere servant. 
The party machinery, which was controlled by the leaders, 
was still powerful in both parties. Again, the tics of party 
loyalty were strong with the majority of the voters in both 
parties. The memory of the rule of the Radicals in the 
sixties and the achievement of the Confederates helped to 
keep alive the political allegiance of Democrats, and the 
victory of the Northern armies under a Republican president 
and the gratitude of the negro population aided in cementing 
the ties of lo}alty to the Republican party. Party loyalty 
was still the rule but both inside and outside of the two 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 177 

parties was the growing power of the voter in directing the 
leaders. 

The second feature of this period from 1870 to 1904 is 
the growing inclination of the people to ask and expect the 
government to solve their problems. They not only demanded 
that the government increase its field of service in aiding 
education, taking care of the insane, and providing for the 
health and safety of the citizens, but the people wanted it to 
aid them in solving their economic problems. For example, 
when in the latter seventies money was high, prices declining, 
and debts becoming difficult to pay, the people wanted the 
government to issue more money. Some wanted "green- 
backs" or paper money printed by the government and others 
wanted more silver money coined. Again, when similar con- 
ditions came in the nineties, the people demanded more 
money. Since this was a matter for the national government 
to decide, it resulted in national politics greatly influencing 
state politics. However, the people did demand that the state 
government solve economic problems as the regulation of 
railroad rates, lowering of taxes, and greater economy in 
government. Strangely enough although the people wanted 
their government to do more things and regulate more things, 
they gave the government less power to do things. The con- 
stitution of 1875 contained more restrictions on the govern- 
ment than either the one of 1820 or the one of 1865. Dur- 
ing this period the character of most legislation was restrictive 
and regulative. The former was due to the experiences of 
the fifties and sixties when both the State and the counties 
went deeply in debt, which caused high taxes. The regulative 
legislation was due to the growth of corporations against 
which the individual unaided could not compete. 

The third feature of this period is the dominance of the 
Democratic party and the growing strength of the Republi- 
can party. The Liberal Republican and Democratic partiee 
were successful in 1870 and 1872. From 1872 to 1900 the 



178 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Democrats carried the State at all elections except the one in 
1894, which was not a general four-year election. However, 
the Republicans were increasing in strength due to the immi- 
gration from Republican states as Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio, 
where land was higher than in Missouri, and to the emigra- 
tion of many Missouri Democrats to Texas, Oklahoma, Mon- 
tana, and the West, where land was cheaper than in Mis- 
souri. The following table of votes for governor makes 
clear the relative strength of the two parties during these 
years : 

Vote Cast for Governor in Missouri, 1870-1921 

(All figures n present thousands except in the per cent colunms. In the "Third" 
parties column the figures represent the total of all "Third" parties, the 
party whose name is in parenthesis cast tlie largest vote of this total.) 



Year 


Total 


% Incr. 


Dem. 


Repub. 


"Third" 
Parties 


IMaJ. 


Plur. 


% Plural- 
ity to To- 
tal Vote 


1870 


167 


16 


104* 


63 





41 


41 


25 


1872 


278 


66 


157* 


121 





36 


36 


13 


1874 


262 


—6 


150 


112** 




38 


38 


14 


1876 


348 


33 


200 


148 





52 


52 


15 


1880 


39S 


14 


208 


154 


36 


9 


54 


14 


1884 


437 


10 


219 


208 


(Greenback) 
10 


H 


11 


3 


1888 


519 


19 


256 


243 


(Prohibition) 
20 





13 


2y2 


1892 


541 


4 


265 


235 


41 





30 


6 


1896 


664 


23 


351 


308 


(Populist) 

5 


19 


43 


6/2 


1900 


684 


3 


350 


318 


16 


8 


32 


5 


1904 


645 


—6 


327 


297 


21 


5 


30 


5 


1908 


716 


11 


340 


356 


20 





16 


2 


1912 


69) 


—2 


337 


218 


144 





119 


17 


1916 


785 


12 


382 


380 


(Progressive) 
23 





2 


'A 


1920 


1.331 


70 


.581 


722 


28 


57 


141 


11 



•Democrats and Liberal Republicans. 
•"Repub. and Grangers (People's Party) 

From this table it is seen that from 1870 to 1900 inclu- 
,sive there were held ten elections for governor. The first 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 1 79 

five elections were from 1870 to 1880 inclusive and the 
Democratic, including the Liberal Republican, candidate re- 
ceived both a majority and a plurality of the votes. The per 
cent of this plurality vote to the total vote cast was large, 
varying from thirteen to twenty- five percent. The last five 
elections were from 1884 to 1900 inclusive and in only two, 
1896 and 1900, did the Democratic candidate receive a 
worthwhile majority and in all five the percent of his plu- 
rality vote to the total vote cast was small, varying from two 
and one-half to six and one-half percent. The reason for 
this relative decline in the plurality of the Democrats after 
1880 was due to the increase in the Republican vote. This 
increase in turn was due in part to the fact that the Demo- 
cratic parly after 1880 ceased to reward the old Union 
Democrats and Whigs and turned more and more to the old 
Confederate Democrats and new Democratic leaders. From 
1870 to 1880 the successful candidate for governor either 
Democrat or Liberal Republican had a Union war record or 
had not opposed the Union. Three of the five governors 
had served in the Union army. These naturally obtained the 
votes of many Union soldiers. W hen in 1884 the Demo- 
cratic party candidate was a Confederate general, many of 
the Union soldiers who either had supported the Democratic 
Union candidate in 1880 or had not voted, now voted the 
Republican ticket. They were reinforced by the new Repub- 
lican settlers from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. In short, the 
strength of the Democrats between 1870 and 1880 lay in 
their fusion with the Liberal Republicans and in their Union 
Democratic candidates. After 1880 the strength of the Re- 
publican lay in immigrants from Republican states and in the 
Union soldier voters. 



i8o 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Fusion ov the Liberal Republicans and Democrats, 

1870-1874 



The victory of the Liberal RepubHcans who were sup- 
ported by the Democrats gave Missouri a strong man for 
governor in 1870. B. Gratz Brown was a man of courage, 
conviction, fairness, and education. He was a native of 
Kentucky and was a cousin of Frank P. Blair and Joseph 
Shelby. He had practiced law in St. Louis but soon became 

an editor. lie had been a Benton 
Democrat, a Republican, an un- 
conditional Union man, and a 
leader in keeping Missouri in the 
Union. He was one of the found- 
ers of the Liberal Republican 
party. The 'Ironclad Oath" had 
been abolished by the voters at the 
1870 election. On the recommen- 
dation of Governor Brown the 
Legislature amended the registra- 
tion laws. All Missourians now 
could vote. During Brown's ad- 
ministration, a state hospital was 
established in St. Joseph and Frank 
P. Blair was appointed United States senator to serve out 
the term of Senator Drake, who had resigned. 

In the election of 1872 the Liberal Republicans and the 
Democrats again voted together. The state officers were di- 
vided, the Democrats getting the larger share including the 
office of governor. The Democratic candidate selected was 
Silas Woodson of St. Joseph, who was a lawyer of ability. 
He was a native of Kentucky, where he had been a Whig. 
On coming to Missouri he became a Democrat. During the 




GRATZ BR(^WN 



]\IissouRi Politics, 1870-1904 



i8i 




Sli.AS WOODSON 



war he retired from public life and 
took no part in the struggle. This 
made him a good compromise can- 
didate without enemies on either 
side. After the war he had helped 
organize the new Democratic party. 
He received about 50% more 
votes than Brown had received 
but his Republican opponent re- 
ceived nearly 100% more votes 
than his Republican predecessor 
had in 1870. So it is clear that 
although Woodson was a good 
compromise candidate he was not 
a strong candidate since the per- 
centage of his plurality vote to the total vote cast was only 
13%, or about half of the percent obtained by Brown. The 
Republicans although defeated had added greatly to their 
strength. Of course the total vote cast in 1872 was very 
large owing to every man being now permitted to vote. 

During Woodson's administration the ^tate debt was re- 
funded and the third state normal school, now the state 
teachers college, was established at Cape Girardeau. The 
first two state normal schools had been established in 1870 
at Kirksville and Warrensburg. In 1873 the problem of 
electing a United States senator to succeed Frank P. Blair 
arose. Blair could not be reelected owing to his strong con- 
victions and his courageous political record. He had been a 
Benton Democrat, a Republican, an unconditional Union 
man, and later one of the leaders in reorganizing the new 
Democratic party. In all of his political work he had been 
fearless and, of course, had made enemies. The Legislature 
elected a Democrat, Louis V. Bogy, of St. Louis, a man who 
had taken no part in the war. 



I82 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



• The eiection of 1872 marked the last appearance of the 
Liberal Republican party both in Missouri and in the nation. 
This party began in Missouri. Its founder was Carl Schurz. 
It stood for reconciliation between the North and the South, 
removal of the political restrictions on voting, lower tariffs, 
and civil service reform. Its success in Missouri in 1870 in 
combination with the Democrats led to a national organiza- 
tion in 1872. Its candidate for president in 1872 should 
have been someone like Brown or Schurz. It nominated 
Brown for vice-president and Horace Greeley of New York 
for president. The national convention of the Democrats 
also nominated both and adopted the Liberal Republican plat- 
form. The mistake macTe was in the presidential candidate, 
who did not have a strong record and was not popular. 
Greeley and Brown were defeated in the nation but they car- 
ried Missouri. After this the Liberal Republican party dis- 
appeared. Some became Democrats and others became Re- 
publicans. 

Fusion of the Union and Confederate Democrats, 

1874-1888 

By 1874 the Democratic party was composed of men 
who differed widely from each other in their former political 
views. They were held together by mutual concessions and 
by their Democratic loyalty. The two main groups were 
the Union Democrats, who had stood by and had frequently 
fought for the Union during the war, and the Confederate 
Democrats, who had fought in the Confederate army or had 
sympathized with the Confederate cause. The former group 
was given the office of governor and many of the appointive 
offices down to 1880 and the latter group controlled the Leg- 
islature and the United States senatorship. These two 
groups held together well and made a strong combination so 
long as mutual concessions were given. However, the Con- 
federate group gradually became stronger in the party and 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 



183 



after 1880 control passed to them and to new leaders, who 
had taken no part in the war. The election returns seem to 
indicate that when this took place, that is, the ascendency of 
the Confederate Democrats, some of the former Union men 
swung over into the Republican party. 

The Democrats nominated Charles H. Hardin of 
Audrain county for governor in 1874. Hardin was another 
compromise candidate but his rec- 
ord during the war had been 
stronger than that of Woodson. 
He had been a Whig in Kentucky, 
where he had been born, and on 
coming to Missouri he had re- 
mained a Whig. During the war 
he had been a Union man and 
had opposed secession but had 
taken no active part. After the 
war he became one of the leaders 
of the Democratic party. He was 
a lawyer and a strong supporter 
of education. The opposition can- 
didate was WilHam Gentry of 
Pettis county, a farmer. He was nominated by the People's 
party, which was supported by the Grangers and the Repub- 
licans. So the opposition party was again a fusion party. 
The Granger party, or the Farmers' Alliance party, was a 
farmer's organization which made its first and only import- 
ant political appearance in 1874. The times were hard, 
farmers were deeply in debt, money was scarce, prices had 
been declining since the war except for temporary advances 
in 1868 and 1872, and a nation-wide panic had occurred in 
1873. The year 1874 was one of depression and failure in 
business. The Grangers or rather the People's party believed 
that the causes of these bad conditions were the high rail- 
road rates, the money system, the eastern corporations, and 




CHARLES H. HARDIN 



1 84 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



a^H j 



government expenses. They demanded regulation of rates, 
more money, and lower taxes. However the Democrats were 
successful. At this election the people by the small majority 
vote of 283 endorsed a resolution in favor of calling a con- 
stitutional convention. 

Under Governor Hardin's administration five features 
are worthy of mention. The depression in business and 
prices continued. The unalterable laws of economics were 
now making the people pay for the high cost and waste of 
the war, for the extravagance and speculation in 1866-1870, 
and for the ill-advised voting of state and county bonds to 
build railroads. Moreover, Europe had just been engaged in 
several wars, which in turn brought depression there, 
economy on the part of the people, and reduced buying by 
them of American products. The next feature was the fine 
progress made in Missouri in bringing about better feeling 
between the Union and Confederate soldiers and sympa- 
thizers. Governor Hardin did much to aid this growth of 

good fellowship. The third feature 
was the election of Francis M. 
Cockrell of Johnson county to the 
United States Senate in 1875. This 
was a victory for the Confederate 
Democrats as Cockrell had fought 
Ijravely for the South in the war. 
He was a native Missourian and 
was a man respected and loved by 
thousands. He served Missouri as 
United States senator from 1875 
to 1905, a period of thirty years, 
being the first and only Missourian 
who equalled the senatorial record 
FRANCIS M. COCKRELL of the great Benton. The fourth 
feature was the creation by the Legislature of a state rail- 
road and warehouse commissioner. This new officer was to 



II 




Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 1 85 

collect data regarding the railroads in Missouri with a view 
of aiding in their regulation. It was a step toward meeting 
one of the demands of the People's party for rate regulation. 
The most important event was the framing and adoption 
of the present constitution of Missouri of 1875. The con- 
stitution, of 1865 had been unpopular owing to its authors 
and its "Ironclad Oath". The last was removed by the voters 
in 1870 and opposition to the constitution was dying. It was 
an excellent document in many ways and the people gradually 
came to appreciate it. This is show'n by the very small ma- 
jority of only 283 votes cast in 1874 in favor of a new con- 
stitutional convention. The new convention met in 1875 with 
sixty-eight delegates, — sixty Democrats, six Republicans, and 
two Liber.ds. To understand the constitution they framed, 
it is necessary to understand Missouri history especially since 
1850, to know the kind of men the delegates were, and to 
appreciate the business depression which had existed since 
1873. The first has already been presented and it may be 
summed up as regards its worst features in these words, — 
freedom of the legislature to bond the State, go in debt, issue 
special charters, and enact special laws ; high taxes ; and 
almost unrestricted power of local bodies and of the voters 
to issue bonds. The delegates were men who had gone 
through troublesome times including war, high prices, high 
taxes, speculation, low prices, and depression. Some had lost 
much of their property, others had suffered through an un- 
limited government in the sixties, and many, if not all, had 
felt the pressure of high taxes and scarce money. As a re- 
sult the delegates were very conservative men. They had 
more concern for the people and for property than they had 
for government. They themselves were men of property. 
They were educated men and hence they were concerned 
about forwarding education. Finally, the business depression 
Avhich became acute in 1873 and continued for years was felt 
by all. Men of education and property became conservative 



1 86 History of Missouri and Missourians 

in depressions. In fact most people do unless they fear loss 
of everything, then they are inclined to be radical in politics. 
So from these brief statements, there was only one kind of 
a constitution that could have been framed in 1875 — a con- 
servative constitution with restrictions on the government's 
powers and on the people's powers as voters for bonds and 
taxes, with protections for the individual against the govern- 
ment and against other individuals, and with provisions for 
education. This was the kind of constitution actually framed 
in 1875 and adopted that year by the people by the large 
majority of 76,688 votes. 

The constitution of 1875 will not be examined. It was 
very long, containing 25,000 words. It was adequately fitted 
for the times and it has served Missouri well for nearly half 
a century. Its restrictions on the government and on the 
voters, as regards taxes and bonds, have been both beneficial 
and harmful. It has prevented undue expense and extrava- 
gance in government, but it has frequently prevented 
progress. It has given the individual many safeguards but 
frequently the courts could not therefore easily or quickly 
give justice. Some of these defects have been remedied by 
amendments and in 1922 a new constitutional convention was 
elected which drafted for adoption of the people further 
revisions. One clause in the constitution of 1875 changed 
the governor's term to four years and another provided that 
at least one- fourth of the state revenue be set aside for the 
public schools. 

In 1876 the Democrats nominated for governor their able 
Civil War veteran candidate, General John S. Phelps, a 
Union Democrat of Springfield. Phelps was a native of 
Connecticut. He had been a consistent Democrat before, 
during, and after the war. During the war he had com- 
manded a Union regiment. He was a lawyer of ability. 
He was one of Missouri's strong governors and received the 
largest majority vote cast for a Missouri governor from 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 



187 




1840 to 1920. The most marked 
features during Governor Phelp's 
administration were the rapid re- 
covery of the country to pros- 
perity, demand for currency re- 
form, financial support of the 
schools, strikes, and the election of 
George G. Vest to the United 
States Senate. The depression 
which had begun in 1873 con- 
tinued for five years, but by 1879 
prosperity again began to appear 
and continued five years. Business 
became better. However, the john s. phelps 

price of corn was low until 1881, being around fifty cents a 
bushel, and the people were still in debt. This brought about 

a demand for more money and a 
reform in the currency system. 
In 1878 the Democratic party ad- 
vocated the issue of greebacks and 
the unlimited coinage of silver to 
give the country more money. 
One of Missouri's congressmen, 
Richard P. Bland, of Laclede 
county, was the leader in Congress 
on this reform. He became head 
of the free silver branch of the 
Democratic party from 1873 until 
1896. In that year, 1896, the 
Democratic party adopted as part 
^ of its platform this principle of 

silver coinage but did not nomi- 
! nate Bland for president. Bland 
was congressman from 1873 to 
- ^ 1900 excepting one term. He was 

^^'^^^•^'^■^^bland''^^"'''''' ''• a remakable man, able, honest, and 




i88 



History of Missouri and Missgl'rians 



couragt.'ous. Of course the money question was a national 
problem but it had great influence on state politics. Greater 
financial support was given the public schools and the state 
educational institutions during these years. Railroad con- 
struction greatly increased in Missouri, 867 miles being built. 
Strikes increased in Missouri, but fortunatel\- no deaths 

resulted and order was soon re- 
stored. The Democrats in 1879 
again elected to the United States 
Senate a Confederate veteran, 
George G. Vest, of Sedalia. Sena- 
tor Vest served until 1903. He 
had served under General Price 
and had represented Missouri in 
the Confederate Senate. He was 
an able lawyer and an orator of ■' 
>^^^_^ -T ^^^» first rank. Senator Cockrell and 
^^H , j ^^^Bnr he were close friends and repre- 
^^8i\j m^^ sented Missouri well in the United 

^^^S^ ^. .^^. States Senate. In 1879 the State 

created a board of immigration to 
attract settlers to Missouri and a bureau of labor statistics 
to gather data on labor and industry in Missouri. 

The Democrats put forward as their candidate for 
governor in 1880 another Civil War veteran who had fought 
for the Union, Thomas T. Crittenden of Warrensburg. He 
was elected b}- only a fair majority vote but he received the 
largest plurality vote given a Missouri governor down to 
1912. This was the last election until 1896 in which a Demo- 
cratic candidate for governor received a majority vote worth 
mentioning and it was the last time down to 1912 that any 
man's percent of plurality vote to the total vote ran over 
ten per cent. This shows that the two parties were getting 
more and more equal in followers, although the State went 
Democratic for a quarter of a century longer. The "third" 




Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 



189 




THOMAS T. CRITTENDEN 



political party at this election was the Greenback party, 
which cast a considerable vote. It soon went to pieces as 
the Democrats had already taken a stand for more money. 

Governor Crittenden, who was a 
lawyer and a partner of Cockrell, 
was a native of Kentucky. During 
the war he had fought for the 
Union, and after the war, like 
Blair and Phelps, he had become a 
strong Democrat. Under his ad- 
ministration Missouri enjoyed great 
prosperity. The thrift and saving 
of the people during the hard 
times of the seventies now began 
to bear fruit. Fortunately the 
State government, instead of using 
this prosperity to incur debt, pro- 
ceeded to reduce the old debt. 
Railroad building increased, bringing capital to Missouri, 
work for her people, and better transportation for country 

and city. The State created a 
bureau of mines and mine inspec- 
tion in 1881 which indicates that 
Missouri was rapidly advancing in 
the mining industry. 

In the 1884 election the Demo- 
crats for the last time had a Civil 
War veteran as iheir candidate for 
governor, John S. Marmaduke, 
son of Governor M. M. Marma- 
duke. But this time the can- 
didate and the majority of the 
.State officers were ex-Confeder- 
ates, while Governor Phelps was 
JOHN s. MARMADUKE an cx-Union man and so were the 




I^o History of Missouri and Missourians 

majority of the State officers. Governor Marmaduke was 
elected by only 11,000 plurality, and his majority was less 
than a thousand. It is significant that the Democrat vote 
showed an increase of only 5% over 1880 while the Republi- 
can vote increased 35%. The "third" party in this election was 
the Prohibition party but its vote was small. However, the 
effect of prohibition sentiment was seen in the Legislature 
when it passed a "local option law" in 1887 under which a 
large part of Missouri eventually went dry. 

Governor Marmaduke was a native of Missouri, having 
been born in Saline county. He had received a fine educa- 
tion and was a man of business ability. Before his election 
he had lived in St. Louis. He died while in office in 1887 

and Lieutenant Governor Albert P. 
Moorehouse, of Nodaway county, 
served the remainder of the term. 
The first two years of this admin- 
istration were years of depression 
but prosperity came again in 1887 
and continued for several years. 
The Legislature passed a number 
of important acts during these 
four years, in addition to the local 
option law. A law was passed 
regulating the railroads to prevent 
their pooling to keep up the rates 
and to forbid their charging more 
ALBERT p. MOREHOUSE for short hauls than for long hauls. 
A new railroad and warehouse commission was created. The 
State capitol was remodelled at a cost of $220,000. The 
agricultural experiment station was established as part of the 
college of agriculture. The training school for boys was 
established at Boonville, the industrial school for girls was 
established at Chillicothe, and a state hospital was established 
at Nevada. Missouri was advancing in taking care of the 




Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 



191 



governor in 



was 



public needs of her citizens. Much of this appreciation of 
Missouri's needs was due to Governor Marmaduke, who was 
a fearless and able worker for the people. 

The New Democratic Leaders, 1888-1904 

and 

Fusion of the Democrats and the Populists, 1896 

The year 1888 marked the rise to power of a new group 
of leaders in control of the Democratic party in Missouri 
state politics. Many of the Civil War veterans had passed 
away and many more had retired or were retired from 
active public life. Senators Cockrell and Vest remained in 
the United States Senate but these alone represented the old 
veterans of the war. 

The Democratic candidate for 
David R. Francis of St. Louis. 
He was a native of Kentucky and 
had received his higher education 
in Missouri. He had been a suc- 
cessful man, both in business and 
politics. Although St. Louis was 
Republican and Francis was a 
Democrat he had been elected 
mayor in 1885. He carried the 
State in 1888 by a plurality of 
13,000 but he did not receive a 
majority of the votes cast. During 
his administration the Australian 
ballot law for voting was adopted, 
the governor's mansion was re- 
paired, and a state school text book commission was created 
providing for uniform text books. The farmers began to 
feel the effects of hard times and low prices during the latter 
part of this term and they again organized. By the next 
general election they had become powerful as a "third" party. 




DAVID R. FRANCIS 



192 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



■ 



Governor Francis later held many important public positions, 
serving in the cabinet, as president of the Louisiana Purchase 
Exposition in St. Louis in 1904, and as ambassador to Rus- 
sia in 1915. 

The campaign of 1892 was fought on the tariff issue. 
This was the issue in Missouri although the State could do 
nothing to solve it since it was a national problem. The 

Democratic candidate for governor 
was William Joel Stone of Vernon 
county and the Republican candi- 
date was William Warner of Kan- 
sas City. Both had served in Con- 
gress and both later became United 
States senators from Missouri. A 
strong "third" party came out un- 
der the name of the Populist or 
People's party, and it cast 37,000 
votes. It was for cheap money. 
Governor Stone was elected by a 
plurality of 30,000 but he did not 
receive a majority. It is note- 
worthy that in this election the 
Republicans' vote decreased by 8,000 for the first time since 
1874. 

Governor Stone was a native of Kentucky. He had re- 
ceived a liberal education and he became an able lawyer. 
He was one of the most successful leaders of the Democratic 
party in Missouri. He later served as United States senator 
from 1903 until his death in 1918. During his administration 
the silver question became more and more pressing. From 
1893 to 1896 the country had the worst depression since the 
seventies. This may have influenced the off-election of 1894 
when Missouri was carried in a landslide by the Republicans. 
The Democratic party advocated the free coinage of silver 
as a remedy. This had long been advocated by America's 




WILLIAM J. STONE 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 



193 



greatest free silver authority, Missouri's congressman, Rich- 
ard P. Bland. This also met the approval of the Populists, 
who in 1896 joined the Democrats. The important State 
measures passed during these four years was the creation of 
a new state banking department, provision for building and 
loan supervision, and increased support of the educational 
institutions. 

The campaign of 1896 was waged entirely on the money 
issue. The Democratic party adopted the principle and work 
of Bland but nominated W. J. Bryan of Nebraska for presi- 
dent. x\s in 1872 Missouri had furnished the issue but was 
denied the candidate. The Populists went over to the Demo- 
crats, who on the issue of more silver money carried Mis- 
souri for governor by a majority of 19,000 and by a pluraUty 
of 43,000. The nation went Republican. In Missouri the 
Republican vote increased 31% and the Democr;itic vote in- 
creased 32%. The "third" party vote was practically elimi- 
nated. 

The new executive was Governor 
Lon V. Stephens, of Boonville, 
Missouri. He was born and reared 
in Missouri, and had made a suc- 
cess as a banker and as state 
treasurer. During his administra- 
tion the Federal soldiers home at 
St. James and the Confederate 
soldiers home at Higginsville were 
made state institutions, the state 
board of charities and corrections 
was organized, the state hospital 
at Farmington was established, the 
Missouri colony for the feeble- 
minded w^as founded at Marshall, 
the fruit experiment station was established at Mountain 
Grove, the first Missouri state fair was held at Sedalia, the 




LON V. STEVENS 



194 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



state historical society of Missouri was established at Colum- 
bia, and an appropriation for a World's Fair at St. Louis 
was authorized by the people. The Spanish-American war 
was fought at this time and Missouri met with loyalty the 
call of the Government for volunteers. The account of that 
war will be related under a "A Century of Military Mis- 
souri". 

The campaign of 1900 was again waged on national 
issues. These issues grew out of the Spanish-American war» 
over which the State had no control. Missouri went Demo- 
cratic and elected Alexander M. 
Dockery, of Daviess county, gov- 
ernor both by a majority and a 
plurality vote. Governor Dockery 
was a native Missourian. He had 
practiced medicine and later had 
become a successful banker. He 
was a successful business man and 
politician. From 1883 to 1899 he 
had served as congressman and 
had made a reputation for fair- 
ness, integrity, and ability. The 
State and the country were now 
prosperous. During this four year 
term the State created a factory 
and industry inspection department, a board of mediation 
and arbitration, and provided for a high school inspector. 
These show that factory, labor, and educational matters were 
assuming more importance. The Louisiana Purchase Expo- 
sition, or World's Fair, was held in St. Louis in 1904 and did 
much to advertise Missouri and to broaden and deepen the 
pride of Missourians. 




A. M. dockery 



Missouri Politics, 1870-1904 Iq5 

Suggestive Questions 

1. How did the growing power of the individual voter manifest 
itself in politics from 1870 to 1904? 

2. With the growing political power of the voter what did the 
people demand from the government? 

3. What is the third characteristic feature of this period? 

4. What party which had its origin in Missouri afterwards be- 
came a national party? 

5. Emphasise the five important features under Governor Hardin's 
administration. 

6. What events had transpired in Missouri history to make the 
people feel the need of a new constitution in 1875? 

7. Discuss some of the merits and some of the demerits of the 
constitution of 1875. 

8. From the explanation in this text what do you consider one of 
the most important clauses in the constitution of 1875? 

■9. What conditions brought about a demand for more money and 
reform in the currency system during Governor Phelps' ad- 
ministration? 

10. While Democratic governors were being elected in Missouri, 
yet thf plurality by which they were elected leads you to what 
conclusion? 

11. Beginning in 1888 you note what change in the Democratic 
party leaders? 

12. Note what you consider as some of the most important legisla- 
tion enacted under the new Democratic leaders from 1888 to 
1896. 



Chapter V 

THE PERIOD OF INDEPENDENT VOTING AND 
POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY, 1904-1922 

The two important features of this period from 1904 to 
1922 are the independence of the individual voter and the 
doubtful political character of Missouri. These two features 
are closely related since independent voting causes political 
uncertainty During this period Missouri elected five gov- 
ernors, three of whom were Democrats and two RepubHcans. 
Missouri voted for five presidents, and three times she cast 
her vote for a Republican and two times for a Democrat. 
This indicates a doubtful state politically. Again, Missouri 
in 1904 elected " a Democratic governor, and a Republican 
lieutenant-governor, legislature, and State officers; in 1908, 
a Republican governor, lieutenant-governor, and House of 
Representatives, and a Democratic Senate and State Officers; 
in 1912, and in 1916, a Democratic governor. State officers, 
and legislature, except a Republican state auditor in 1916; 
in 1920, a Republican governor, state officers, and legisla- 
ture; in 1906 and 1914, a Democratic state superintendent of 
schools, and in 1910 and 1918, a Republican state superin- 
tendent of schools. These facts indicate independent voting. 

The campaign of 1904 found the Democratic party di- 
vided both in Missouri and in the nation. A conservative 
Eastern men, Alton B. Parker of New York, was the Demo- 
cratic presidential candidate, and a new man, Joseph W. 
Folk of St. Louis, was the candidate for governor. For the 
first time since 1868 Missouri went Republican for president 
and for ail state officers except that of governor. However, 
Governor Folk was elected by a majority of 5,000 and a plu- 
rality of 30,000. The Legislature elected a Republican 
United States senator, Major William Warner of Kansas 
City, to succeed Senator Cockrell. Senator Warner was a 

(196) 



Missouri Politics, 1904-1922 



197 



Union veteran from Wisconsin. He was a forceful man, an 
able lawyer, a public servant of integrity, and an excellent 
speaker. He was greatly beloved by the old Union veterans. 
Governor Folk, who was a lawyer, was a native of Tennessee. 
He had received a fine education. 
On coming to Missouri, he settled 
in St. Louis, where he took an 
active part in Democratic politics. 
He was elected city attorney in 
1900 on a reform platform. He 
vigorously prosecuted all bribe- 
takers in the city government, and 
soon made for himself a state and 
national reputation. He was elected 
governor on the record he had 
made. 

During Governor Folk's admin- 
istration two state normals, now 
teachers' colleges, were established, 
one at Springfield and one at Maryville ; a state sanatorium 
was established at Mt. Vernon; a state dair}' commissioner, 
board of horticulture, and library commission, were created; 
and boards of examiners were provided for law}ers, dentists, 
and osteopaths. By a vote of the people the constitution 
was amended providing for the initiative and referendum 
now in force, and permitting a special road and bridge tax 
to be levied. In 1907 a primary law was passed under which 
candidates for office were selected at a primeary election. 

The campaign of 1908 was one vigorously waged be- 
tween the two old parties. The Republican candidate was 
Herbert S. Hadley of Kansas City. He had been elected 
attorney-general of Missouri in 1904. While holding this 
office he had made a state and national reputation in his 
prosecution of trusts, especially the Standard Oil Company. 
His record elected him governor by a plurality of 16,000, but 




JOSEPH W. FOLK 



198 



History of Missouri and Missourians 




HERBERT S. HADLEY 



he did not receive a majority. 
Governor Hadley was a native of 
Kansas. He had received a fine 
education and was a lawyer of 
abihty. He returned to the law 
office after his term expired but 
continued to wield a strong in- 
fluence in Republican politics until 
his removal to Colorado. The Re- 
publican candidate for lieutenant 
governor was finally declared 
elected by a very small plurality, 
and the Republican presidential 
candidate, William H. Taft, carried 
Missouri over WilHam J. Bryan 
by 629 votes. The state officers elected were Democrats, the 
Senate was Democratic, but the House of Representatives 
was Republican. This bi-partisan character of the State 
government made it difficult to obtain important legislation. 
Much of the legislation was regulative or inspectional in 
character. These departments, commissions, and boards 
were created : a game and fish department, a food and drug 
commissioner, a department for inspection of petroleum oils, 
a board of public accountancy, a board of examination of 
nurses, a hotel inspection deparment, and a board of pharm- 
acy. A court of appeals, the third in the state, was estab- 
lished at Springfield; a state industrial home for negro girls 
was provided for by law : a state poultry experiment station 
was established at Mountain Grove : a birth and death regi- 
stration law was passed; and a state capitol commission was 
created. The State capitol burned in 1911 and the people 
authorized the issuance of $3,500,000.00 in bonds to build 
and furnish a new capitol. 



Missouri Politics, 1904-1922 igg 

During Governor Hadley's administration Senator Stone 
was re-elected by the Legislature in 1909 and another Demo- 
crat, James A. Reed of Kansas City, was elected by the 
Legislature to the United States Senate in 1911. Senator 
Reed was a native of Ohio. He had been reared and edu- 
cated in Iowa where be became a lawyer. On moving to 
Kansas City he became influential in politics and served two 
terms as mayor. He was an able lawyer and a fine public 
speaker. He was re-elected by popular vote in 1916. 

Toward the latter part of these four yeaj"s an insurgent 
movement began in the national Republican party. The main 
issue was over the rules governing the national House of 
Representatives. Both the House and the Senate, as well 
as the presidency, were Republican. In the off-election of 
1910 this issue and the tariff issue were before the country. 
The new House was Democratic and elected as speaker one 
of Missouri's congressmen, Champ Clark of Pike county. 
Champ Clark was a native of Kentucky. He was a lawyer, 
legislator, pubUc speaker, and statesman. He had served 
long in Congress and was one of the most beloved men in 
our pubHc life. He narrowly missed nomination to the 
presidency in 1912. He continued as speaker until 1919 
when the house had again become Republican. He died in 
1921, aftei a service of twenty-six years in Congress. 

In 1912 the Republican party split. The old organi- 
zation renominated President Taft. The new party, which 
took the name "Progressive Party", nominated former pres- 
ident Theodore Roosevelt. In Missouri the Republicans nomi- 
nated J. C. McKinley for governor, the Progressives, Albert 
D. Nortoni, and the Democrats, Elliott W. Major. The 
Democrat'C candidate was elected by a plurality of 119,000, 
which was the next to the largest plurality ever received by 
a Missouri governor. He did not receive a majority. The 
total vote was 2 per cent less than in 1908, just as the total 
vote in 1904 when the Democrats were not strogly united 



200 History of Missouri and Missourians 





i 



'U'a^^i 




U- 



Missouri Politics, 1904-1922 



2()I 




ELLIOTT \V. MAJOR 



showed a decrease of 6 per cent. 
Governor Major had been elected 
attorney-general of Missouri in 
1908 and, like Governor Hadley 
he was advanced to the office of 
governor. Governor Major was a 
native Misourian, having been 
born in Lincoln county. He had 
studied law under Champ Clark. 
He made his home in Bowlin;j^ 
Green. He had a Democratic Leg- 
islature in both houses. 

The important laws passed dur- 
ing his term were, first, those pro- 
viding State aid to small high 
schools and weak common schools, and second, an act creat- 
ing the state public service commission to control rates and 
service of telephone, railroad, street railway, light, and gas 
companies. A state board of pardon and paroles, a state 
highway department, a land reclamation department, a com- 
mission for the blind, and a children's code commission, were 
established. In 1913 the Seventeenth amendment to the 
United States Constitution was adopted providing for the 
election of United States senators by direct vote of the peo- 
ple. The State began to take a new interest in better high- 
ways at this time. In 1916 the national government became 
involved in the Mexican Border War and the Missouri 
National Guard was the first to give service. The story of 
this will be told under "A Century of Military Missouri". 

The campaign of 1916 found each party united. A 
general European War had been in progress for two years. 
The main issues of the campaign related to the attitude of 
the United States toward the European belligerants and to 
the Mexican border troubles. The Democratic candidate for 
governor was Frederick D. Gardner of St. Louis. The Re- 



202 TIrsTORY OF Missouri and Misscurians 

publican candidate was Judge Henry Lamm of Sedalia. The 
Democrats carried the State and the nation. Senator Reed 
was re-elected to the United States Senate and all except one 
of the state officers were Democrats. The Legislature was 
also Democratic. The total vote was large, being 12% over 
the 1912 election. The election itself was close. Governor 

Gardner received a plurality of 
2,000. Governor Gardner was a 
native of Kentucky. He settled in 
St. Louis and made a sucess in 
business. He became interested in 
the high interest rates charged 
farmers for money they borrowed 
and proposed a state farmer's land 
bank. This proposal combined with 
a well conducted campaign on the 
basis of a business man for 
governor, secured for Governor 
Gardner both his nomination and 
his election. He had never held 

FREDERICK D. GARDNER ... , . ,^,^ 

any state office before 1916. 
The first two years of Governor Gardner's administra- 
tion were largely filled with war activities throughout the 
State. The remarkable record made by Missouri and Mis- 
sourians in support of their country in the World War will 
be related under "A Century of Military Missouri". Legis- 
lative acts aside from war legislation provided for the 
creation of a state tax commission, a state prison board, 
abolition of the contract system in the penitentiary, a state- 
wide mother's pension law, and a local tax levy for county 
hospitals. X. P. Wilfley, of St. Louis, was appointed United 
States Senator in 1918 to fill temporarily the vacancy caused 
by the death of Senator Stone, who died on April 14, 1918. 
In the November election of that year Judge Selden P. 




Missouri Politics. 1904-1922 203 

Spt'ncer of St. Louis was elected to complete Senator Stone's 
;em. Senator Spencer, who was a Republican, was a native 
of Pennsylvania. He had received a fine education and after 
coming to Misouri had held public office. He was re-elect- 
ed to the United States Senate in 1920. The 1918 election 
gave the Republicans control of the House of Representa- 
tives in Missouri. They also elected the state superintendent 
of public schools. 

During the latter part of Governor Gardner's term the 
Missouri presidential suffrage bill, giving Missouri women 
the right to vote, became a law on April 5, 1919. A few 
months later, the Federal suffrage amendment was approved 
by the Missouri Legislature. This ended a campaign for 
woman suffrage which had begun in Missouri fifty years 
before. Another important law which went into effect was 
the prohibition act. A national prohibition amendment to the 
United States constitution was adopted. Other state legis- 
lation creaied a department of beverage inspection, a soldiers' 
and sailors' compensation commission, enlarged the functions 
of the stale board of healtli, and authorized counties to erect 
memorials to soldiers and sailors. A number of centennial 
celebrations were held in 1920 in commemoration of Mis- 
souri's century of statehood. 

The campaign of 1920 was waged on the issues growing 
out of the world war. Some of these were poUtical as the 
League of Nations, others were economic as the high prices, 
which reached the highest level since 1864. The war closed 
in November 1918 and a post war boom began in 1919 and 
continued until the fall of 1920. The people became extrav- 
agant, went heavily in debt, speculated, and all classes, except 
the salaried and income classes, shared in the high profits 
and incomes received. Land and property doubled in value. 
Fortunes were made in a few months only to be reinvested 
at a figure as high or higher than that received. Money was 
easy to make but instead of the people saving their profits, 



204 History of Missouri and Missourians 



.1. .I...l...».,l 




1 

: 

> 






1 

i i 






m^^VS^is 


1 


'^■'-.1 


.4 



Missoura Politics, 1904-1922 205 

mail) of them spent freely or. tried to nialve more money. 
In fact it was the biggest boom the United States had ever 
had and it ended in being one of the most disastrous. Instead 
of these years being years of real prosperity, which can only 
be built on the sound foundations of tiirift and work and 
saving, they were really }ears of discontent. The people 
complained of the high prices they paid, the high rents, high 
labor costs, and high clothing and food bills. By the fall 
of 1920 everything was getting ready for a great change. 
The banks were loaned to the limit, the interest rates were 
getting higher and higher, and wise men were beginning to 
fear a panic. The people did not realize these things, but 
they cHd realize that things were not well adjusted. If they 
had known what had taken place in Missouri and in the 
nation one hundred years before, they might have been more 
careful. 

The election of 1920 resulted in a victory for the Repub- 
licans never equalled in the nation or in the State. Both 
houses of Congress and the presidency went Republican, 
and Missouri for the first time in fifty years elected a Rep- 
publican Legislature in both houses. All the state offices 
were Republican and Governor Hyde of Trenton, the Repub- 
lican candidate, was elected by a majority of 57,000 and a 
plurality of 141,000. Both were the largest ever cast in 
Missouri. The total vote was very large owing to the 
woman vote. 

At this election a number of amendments to the consti- 
tution were adopted. One permitted Kansas City to frame 
a new charter, one permitted road districts to vote increased 
taxes for roads, and another authorized the state to issue 
$60,000,000 of road bonds. An amendment was adopted 
authorizing pensions for the blind, and another authorized 
a bond issue of $1,000,000 for creating a soldiers settlement 
fund. A "bone dry" enforcement prohibition act passed by 
the 1919 Legislature was approved on a referendum vote and 




2o6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

an initiative measure providing for a vote on holding a State 
constitutional convention carried. 

Governor Arthur M. Hyde was 
born in Mercer county, Missouri. 
He received a fine education and 
became a lawyer. He also engag- 
ed in business. He had never held 
a state elective office. During 
the first two years of his admini- 
stration three sessions of the Leg- 
islature were held (one regular and 
two special), a state constitutional 
convention convened, and Missouri 
celebrated her centennial of ad- 
mission into the Union. A county 
ARTHUR M. HYDE Unit cducation law was passed, a 

number of acts relating to the children's code, a state finance 
consolidation law, a state budget law, a state agricultural 
consolidat'on department law, a county library law, and a 
Missouri road law providing for the expenditure of the $60,- 
000,000 road bonds. Some of these were held up by refer- 
endum petitions. In August 1921 the people at a special 
election authorized a convention to revise and amend the 
constitution, amended the constitution so as to enable women 
to hold any office in the State, amended the constitution so 
as to authorize the $60,000,000 road bond issue to be paid 
from motor vehicle liscense fees, and authorized the Legis- 
lature to incur not exceeding $15,000,000 indebtedness for 
bonuses to Missouri soldiers, sailors, and marines. The first 
special session of the Legislature in June and July, 1921 
dealt with road legislation, the second special session in Nov- 
ember, 1921 enacted a soldiers' and sailors' bonus law and 
provided for the issuance of the road bonds. The election 
of delegates to the new constitutional convention was held on 
Jan. 31, 1922 and the convention convened on May 25, 1922, 



Missouri Politics, 1904-1922 207 

During August 1921 a statewide centennial celebration 
was held in Sedalia, in connection with the State Fair, under 
the direction of the Missouri Centennial Commission, which 
had been created by the Legislature. Many celebrations were 
held over the State, notably in Kansas City, St. Louis, St. 
Charles, and Springfield. These did much to instruct the 
people in the history of Missouri and to develop State pride. 
It is fitting that "A Century of Missouri Politics" and, in 
fact, "A Century of Missouri's Statehood" should so close. 
The founders of Missouri built well and their descendants 
have proven worthy of their work. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What facts lead you to the conclusion that there has been in- 
dependent voting in Missouri since 1904? 

2. What do you understand when it is stated that Governor Folk 
was elected by a majority of 5,000 and a plurality of 30,000? 

3. What national amendments affecting Missouri were passed 
during Major's administration and Gardner's administration? 

4. Discuss the recent amendments to the constitution. 



PART V 

A CENTURY OF MILITARY 
MISSOURI 

Chapter I 

Early Wars — Black Hawk, Seminole, Mormon, Honey, 
Mexican, and Kansas Border Wars 

Durinp- her century of statehood Missouri has played an 
important part in each of the four great wars and the Mexi- 
can Border Trouble waged by the national government. 
These were the Mexican War, 1846-1848, the Civil War or 
the war between the states, 1861-1865, the Spanish-American 
War, 1898, the Mexican Border Trouble, 1915-1917, 
and the World War, 1917-1918. Besides these wars, Mis- 
souri has taken part in other military operations as the 
Black Hawk War, Seminole War, Mormon War, Honey 
War, Mormon War, Kansas Border Wars, and Philippine In- 
surrection War. 

The Black Hawk War, 1832 

The Black Hawk war began and ended in 1832. It was 
a war between the Sac, Fox, and Winnebago Indians on one 
side, and the militia of Illinois and Wisconsin and the United 
States government troops on the other side. By treat}' with 
the United States these Indians had given up claim to their 
land in Illinois and the Sacs and Foxes had settled west of 
the Mississippi. The Winnebagoes need not concern us. 
However, under Black Hawk and the Prophet, their leaders, 
the Sacs and Foxes gave the white settlers in Illinois much 
trouble. They crossed to the east side of the Mississippi in 
1831 and began plundering and killing. Missouri furnished 

(208) 



Military Missouri 209 

some of the United States soldiers who were sent from St. 
Louis to subdue them. One of her sons, Henry Dodge, who 
had moved to Wisconsin, was one of the miUtary leaders. 
Although the fighting was in Illinois and Wisconsin, Mis- 
souri prepared to resist any possible Indian invasion by Black 
Hawk. General Richard Gentry was ordered by Governor 
Miller to raise 1,000 volunteers. Five companies were raised 
in Boone county and othe/s in Callaway, Clay, Lincoln, 
Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Ray, and St. 
Charles. Under General Gentry the Missouri troops marched 
to what is now Clark county. Other troops covered the 
Grand river and the Chariton river country, Missouri wai 
prepared to protect her citizens. However, the Indians were 
soon defeated in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Black Hawk 
was captured. This ended the war. Black Hawk died near 
the Des Moines river, in Iowa, in 1838. 

The Seminole or Florida War, 1837 

The Seminole or Florida war grew out of the refusal of 
the Seminole Indians in Florida to move west of the Mis- 
sissippi. They had an able leader in their chief Osceola, 
who, beginning in 1835, successfully defied the United States 
government and army. In the fall of 1837 President Van 
Buren asked Senator Benton whether Missourians would go 
to the swamps of Florida to help defeat the Seminoles. 
Senator Benton answered, "The Missourians will go wherever 
their services are needed." On September 8, 1837, the sec- 
retary of war wrote Colonel Richard Gentry of Columbia to 
raise 600 volunteers. On October 6, 1837, just twenty-eight 
days later. Colonel Gentry's regiment left Columbia to do 
battle on the field of war hundreds of miles away. His 
force was composed of men from the counties of Boone, 
Callaway, Chariton, Howard, Jackson, Marion, and Ray. 
Other companies were raised, of which two were composed 
of Delaware and Osage Indians to serve as scouts and spies. 



2IO 



History of Missouri and Missourians 




After a river and ocean voyage the men disenmarked in 
Florida on November 15th. They received orders to march 

to Lake Okee-cho-bee, 
one hundred and thirty- 
five miles inland. On 
Christmas day the battle 
with the Indians began. 
The Missourians were 
forced to wade knee- 
deep in the swamps to 
approach the foe. Col. 
Gentry was mortally 
wounded and died that 
night. After the loss of 
their leader, the Mis- 
sourians bravely con- 
tinued the fight until 
the Indians were defeat- 
ed. The loss in killed 
and wounded was one hundred and thirty-eight, most of 
whom were Missourians. "The Missourians will go wherever 
their services are needed." The survivors of Colonel Gen- 
try's troops were returned to their homes early in 1838. 
Missouri had written a page of honor and glory in the history 
of the State and nation. 

The Mormon War, 1838-1839 

Between 1823 and 1830 a new religious denomination 
arose in western New York. Its founder was called Joseph 
Smith and its followers were called Mormons. They grew 
rapidly and in 1831 began settling in Jackson county. Here 
they purchased land and a city was founded twelve miles 
west of Independence. Within two years the Mormons in 
Jackson county numbered 1,200, about one-third of the total 
population. Hostility between them and the other settlers 



general RICHARD GENTRY 



Military Missouri 2II 

soon appeared. The pioneer settlers disliked the Mormons 
on account of their religion, their attitude against slavery, 
and their claims to ultimately possess the country. Hostility 
of feeling was followed by open hostility. The Mormons 
were molested, much of their property was destroyed, and 
finally in 1833 they were forced to leave Jackson county. 
They suffered much and they lost much. The inhabitants of 
Clay county hospitably gave them temporary shelter and 
work. But the same causes which drove them from Jackson 
county forced them to leave Clay county in 1836. The older 
settlers feared them and their rapid growth in numbers. 

The Legislature created Caldwell county in 1836 and it 
was understood that the new county was to be the home of 
the Mormons. They emigrated there in 1836. New arrivals 
came from, the eastern states and their population reached 
15,000. As they increased, they expanded into Carroll and 
Daviess county. Clashes involving loss of life and property 
took place in these counties between the Mormons and the 
older settlers. The militia was called out, and State troops 
opposed the Mormon troops. Both sides were now determ- 
ined. Finally in 1838 Governor Boggs issued an order to 
General Clark in which he stated that "the Mormons must 
be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or drizen 
from the State if necessar\' for the public peace." State 
troops under General Lucas now began pouring into Caldwell 
county to capture Far West, the Mormons' principal city. 
The Mormons agreecl to surr&nder their leaders and to leave 
the State. It was now winter. The sufferings and losses of 
the Mormons were heavy, but by April 23, 1839, all had left 
Caldwell county. They emigrated to Illinois and in about ten 
years they moved to Utah. The leaders who were sur- 
rendered either escaped or were freed. A division later 
occurred among the Mormons. The Reorgan-zcd Church of 
Latter Dav Saints left Utah and today has its church head- 
quarters in Independence, where it has a large number of 
adherents. 



212 History of Missouri axd Missourians 

The Honey War or 
The Iowa-Missouri Boundary Dispute, 1839-1840 

The Iowa-Missouri Boundary dispute of 1840 has been 
popularly called "The Honey War", It was not an armed 
conflict but it involved military operations both by Iowa and 
Missouri. The dispute arose over a narrow strip of land 
claimed by each. A Missouri farmer in Clark county cut 
down three bee trees, filled with honey, on this strip. He 
escaped, but when the sheriff of Clark county tried to col- 
lect taxes on this strip from an lowan, the sheriff was 
arrested, taken to Burlington, Iowa, where he was later re- 
leased. The Missourians in Clark, Lewis, and Marion coun- 
ties were aroused, and so were the people of Iowa. Governor 
Boggs sent 200 militiamen to Clark county and about 600 
Missourians gathered on Fox river near Waterloo. The snow 
was deep, the weather cold, and the men had only a few 
blankets. On the Iowa side was camped the Iowa militia 
with 300 men. Governor Lucas of Iowa was with them. 
Before open conflict arose, better judgment prevailed and a 
movement started to have a commission appointed by Mis- 
souri and Iowa to make peaceable settlement. So ended 
"The Honey War", but the boundary dispute was not settled 
until the United States Supreme Court had decided on the 
legal boundary line and in 1851 had stone posts erected every 
ten miles. 

The Mexican War, 1846-1848 

Th part taken by Missourians in the Mexican War was 
one of glory, honor, and lasting value to their State and 
country. Like all western people, they wanted to see the 
United States expand, and as Missourians they were 
especially interested in New Mexico where was located Santa 
Fe, the western end of the Santa Fe trade and trail. They 
responded quickly to the nation's call for men and 7,C00 saw 



Military Missouri 213 

service. They endured hardships bravely and they battled 
victoriously against a foe superior in numbers. They crossed 
deserts and mountains, invaded a hostile country and fought 
Mexicans and Indians. By their victories they added New 
Mexico to the United States and also conquered two pro- 
vinces in old Mexico. They gave New Mexico her first 
American military commander, her first American governor, 
and her first American code of laws. 

The outbreak of war between Mexico and the United 
States in 1846 found Missourians ready to enlist in the pro- 
posed military expedition to Santa Fe. Governor Edwards 
called for volunteers in May and within a month 1358 Mis- 
sourians had gathered at Fort Leavenworth. They repre- 
sented the counties of Callaway, Clay, Cole, Franklin, How- 
ard, Jackson, Lafayette, Platte, Saline, and St. Louis. The 
mounted volunteers numbering 856 elected Alexander W. 
Doniphan, of Clay county, as their colonel. The entire force 
including 300 United States dragoons was under the com- 
mand of another citizen of Missouri, Colonel Stephen W. 
Kearney of the United States Army. The expedition follow- 
ed the Santa Fe trail and after traveling 900 miles reached 
Santa Fe in August. A force of 7,000 Mexicans had plan- 
ned to attack them in a mountain pass, but at the approach 
of the Americans the Mexicans fled. 

After taking peaceable possession of Santa Fe, General 
Kearney by proclamation annexed New Mexico to the United 
States. He appointed Colonel Doniphan and Willard P. Hall, 
who were adopted Missourians, to draft a constitution and 
code of laws for the territory, and he appointed Charles 
Bent, another Missourian, as governor. General Kearney 
then departed with his 300 dragoons to San Diego in southern 
California, where he successfully aided the United States 
forces. 

Shortly after General Kearney's departure. Colonel 
Sterling Price, another Missourian, arrived from Fort 



214 



History of Missouri and Missouriaxs 



Leavenworth with 1,200 Missouri volunteers from the coun- 
ties of Boone, Benton, Carroll, Chariton, Linn, Livingston, 
Monroe, Randolph, Ste. Genevieve, and St. Louis. Colonel 
Doniphan now marched against the Navajos, a warlike tribe 




^^^5 



COLONEL ALEXANDER \V. DONIPHAN 

of Indians who were giving trouble. Despite the mountain- 
ous country and the cold weather, the Missourians reached 
the Indian strongholds and a treaty of peace was made. After 
returning to Santa Fe, Colonel Doniphan with about 1,000 
Missourians marched south toward Chihuahua, located south 
of the Rio Grande in old Mexico. The plan was to join the 
United States army here. The march was through deserts. 
The suffering of the men and their animals from thirst and 
cold was terrible. After crossing the Rio Grande, supplies 
were found. At Brazito, in old Mexico, a battle was fought 
on Christmas day, 1846, and the Mexicans were badly de- 



Military Missouri 



215 



featcd. From Rrazito Doniphan's expedition went to El Paso, 
Texas, where it was well received. From here the march 
was resumed to Chihuahua, 200 miles farther. Fifteen miles 
from Chihuahua a force of 4,000 Mexicans, well armed and 
supported by artillery, attacked the Missourians in the moun- 
tain i):i<^ of Sacramento. Here the battle of Sacramento was 




BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. BY CARPENTER 



fought and the Missourians again were victorious. The 
Mexicans had prepared strings and handcuffs for the Mis- 
sourians. The Mexicans lost 200 killed and 300 wounded, 
the Missourians lost one killed and eleven wounded. After 
reaching Chihuahua the march was resumed southeastward to 
Saltillo, 470 miles away. The city was captured and the ex- 
pedition continued to the mouth of the Rio Grande river. 
Here the men took ship and reached their homes during the 
summer of 1847. Their land marches had extended 3,000 
miles. They had successfully fought two pitched battles with 
the Mexicans, had defeated the Navajos, had conquered three 
large provinces, and had entered a score of towns and cities. 



2i6 History of Missouri and Missourians 

And all this they accomplished in the midst of a hostile 
population of hundreds of thousands of people, against a foe 
vastly larger in numbers, and with the loss of less than 50 
men. It is interesting to note that seventy years later another 
Missourian, General John J. Pershing, led another expedition 
into old Mexico. 

After Colonel Doniphan left Santa Fe, Colonel Price 
became the military commander. An insurrection arose 
among the natives and Governor Bent and many Missourians 
were killed. More reinforcements arrived from Missouri 
and the insurrection was suppressed. However, the total loss 
was large, 400 men dying in battle or from disease. In 1848 
the war ended, and Mexico ceded New Mexico and Cali- 
fornia to the United States. The United States armies had 
obtained successes everywhere and not the least of these were 
the capture of New Mexico and Doniphan's Expedition, to 
which Missouri had contributed 7,000 men. 

The Kansas Border Troubles, 1855-1860 

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act in 1854 found 
Missouri determined to make Kansas a slave territory and 
New England determined to make Kansas a free territor}'. 
Missourians organized in Blue Lodges and the New Eng- 
landers in Northern Emigrant Aid Societies. Both sent set- 
tlers and both sent merely voters. The proslavery Missouri- 
ans settled or voted in such proslavery towns as Atchison, 
Kickapoo, Lecompton, and Leavenworth in northeastern Kan- 
sas ; the free soil men settled or voted in Hampden, Lawrence, 
Manhattan, Ossawotamie, Topeka, and Wabaunsee lying west 
of Kansas City. Although threats were made by both sides, 
conditions were generally peaceable until after the proslavery 
was the legal government, and the free soil people in the 
same year had formed an antislavery government in oppo- 
sition. The proslavery government called to Missourians to 
come to its aid. From 1855 to 1857 Missourians responded. 



Military Missouri 



217 



Under General Atchison of Missouri 1,000 Missourians 
set out to attack Lawrence in 1855. By agreement with the 
governor of Kansas the attack was not made. In May 1856 
the Missourians returned and destroyed much property in 
Lawrence. Three men were killed. John Brown of Ossa- 
wotamie retaliated by murdering five unarmed proslavery 
settlers in Kansas. This aroused both Kansas and Missouri. 
In August 1856 the Missourians invaded Kansas and destroy- 
ed Ossawotamie. The antislavery Kansans now planned to 
destroy Lecompton. About 3,000 Missourians met on the 
border and considered a destructive invasion of Kansas. This 
was prevented by the intervention of the United States 
troops. In 1857 Kansas elected an antislavery government. 
This ended the invasion of Kansas by Missourians. 

Under the leadership of John Brown and others, the 
Kansans began to invade Missouri in 1857 and continued to 
destroy, rob, and murder until 1860. Their worst deeds were 
committed in Cass, Bates, \'ernon, and Barton counties. The 
invaders were called "Jayhawkers". People soon feared for 
their lives and property. Some left the country. Slaves 
were stolen and houses were burned. The people organized 
to resist the bands but conditions became so bad that Gover- 
nor Stewart called out the militia in 1858. The governor of 
Kansas aided and temporary peace was restored. Trouble 
soon broke out again and in 1859 the Missouri Legislature 
voted $30,000 to enable Governor Stewart to protect the 
border. Things quieted down until November, 1860, when 
James Montgomery invaded Missouri. Again Governor 
Stewart sent troops and order was restored. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Name the wars in which Missouri has taken a part. 

2. Give the main facts in the Black Hawk war. 

3. Discuss the Seminole war as to cause, the leaders, and the 
results. 



2ll 



History of Missouri and Missouri an s 



4. Describe the immigration of the Mormons into Missouri. 

5. What was the objection urged against the Mormons? 

6. State the cause of the Honey war. 

7. Why was Missouri interested in the Mexican war? 

8. What was Missouri's response to the national call for sol- 
diers? 

9. Describe Doniphan's expedition. 

10. What was the cause of the Kansas Border troubles? 



Chapter II 

THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865 

The Military Struggle for Missouri 

The Civil \Var in Missouri can be easily understood if 
four main points are kept in mind. In the first place the 
possession of Missouri by the North was almost necessary 
if the Federal Government hoped to defeat the Confederacy. 
Missouri's central geographical position made her the con- 
necting trade and transportation route between the East and 
the West and between free soil Illinois and free soil Kansas. 
\\ ith both Missouri was joined by the Missouri river and by 
the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. Missouri could also 
furnish wealth and men, for she was one of the leading states 
in both. In St. Louis she possessed the largest city in the 
Mississippi valley and one of the strongest in pro-Union sen- 
timent, especially among the Germans. On the other hand, 
the possession of Missouri was not essential to the Confed- 
eracy, and the Confederacy did not make serious and determ- 
ined effort to possess or retain Missouri. In fact even after 
the Missouri State Government had seceded and sent repre- 
sentatives to Richmond, Va., the Confederate Government did 
not know what to do with Missouri. The efforts in Missouri 
for the Confederacy were made by Missourians. 

In the second place, Missouri was geographically tied to 
the North. On three sides she was surrounded by free soil. 
This made it easier for the Union forces to possess and re- 
tain her. This made it harder for the Confederate forces to 
battle for her. The North could and did pour in troops 
from Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas ; the South could come in 
only from Arkansas and to reach the rich counties in Central 
Missouri must travel on foot or horse 200 miles. The Union 
forces could travel east or west by railroad from Hannibal to 

(219) 



220 History of Missouri and Missourians 



St. Joseph or by river from St. Louis to Kansas City. Both 
the railroad and the river v^ere soon in Union hands. Mis- 
souri as a state was geographically tied to the North and 
northern Missouri was geographically part of the North. 

In the third place, the United States Government had 
practically every advantage in Missouri over the old State 
Government and the Confederacy. It had a pro-Union State 
Convention and government with adequate protection and 
with adequate powers. It had at least 50%, perhaps more, 
of the people supporting it. It had better organization, posi- 
tion, and transportation. It had more soldiers, better trained, 
better equipped, and better fed. It had its territory con- 
solidated instead of being divided. By holding both banks of 
the Missouri river it kept the Confederates in north and 
south Missouri from combining. And, of highest importance, 
it had vastly greater resources in wealth and in money. 

Finally, Missourians themselves were divided. When 
peace failed in the spring of 1861 some joined with the South 
and others with the North. This division was not only by 
sections and by counties, but even by communities and 
families. This resulted in the worst kind of warfare — neigh- 
bor against neighbor. This led to injustice, murder, plunder, 
bushwhacking, and general guerilla fighting. 

The Military Struggle for Missouri 
June 12, 1861-March 8, 1862 

The open military fight for Missouri began with the 
break between General Lyon and Governor Jackson at the Plan- 
ters Hotel conference in St. Louis on June 12, 1861. The 
seisure of the United States arsenal at Liberty, the capture of 
Camp Jackson, and the passage of the State military bill, had 
preceded this, but formal and open-warfare was not accepted 
until June 12th. From that day both Lyon and the Federal 
Government, and Jackson, Price, and the State Government, 
waged active warfare. This military struggle lasted nine 



3 



Military Missouri 



221 



months and had two periods. The first period ended on 
August 10, 1861, when the Confederate and Missouri troops 
were victorious at the battle of Wilson's Creek. The second 




GENERAL LYON AND GENERAL BLAIR STARTING FOR 
CAMP JACKSON. BY BINGHAM 

period ended on March 8, 1862, when the Union troops were 
victorious at the battle of Pea Ridge. The last battle set- 
tled the military fate of Missouri. The State was to remain 
in the Union both from a political and from a military stand- 
point. 



222 History of Missouri and Missourians 

General Lyon's military plan was sound and simple, and 
if he had been supported by his superiors in command, the 
military struggle for Missouri would have ended on August 
10, 1861. This plan was to send trained Union troops to 
southwest Missouri to cut off General Price and the State 
troops in their retreat before Lyon's army. General Lyon 
was to take his army up the Missouri river to central Mis- 
souri, get possession of the Missouri river, keep the pro- 
southern men in north Missouri from enlisting in Price's 
army, and defeat General Price before he had time to raise 
and train his soldiers. The Union troops in southwest Mis- 
souri were to cut off Price's army as it retreated toward 
Arkansas. 

General Price's and Governor Jackson's military plan 
was first to get men and second to get time to train and 
equip them. They also hoped to keep possession of a point 
or two along the Missouri river, at which recruits from north 
Missouri could pass over This plan was successful in ob- 
taining men, but owing to Lyon's activity with his trained 
soldiers the last part of the plan could not be carried out. 

Governor Jackson left St. Louis on June 12th. He 
caused the bridges to be destroyed along the way. On reach- 
ing Jefferson City he issued a call for 50,000 men. General 
Price was the commander-in-chief of the State troops. Lyon 
with 1,500 men followed at once. The State Government left 
for Boonville where the State troops were gathered under 
Colonel Marmaduke. Here the battle of Boonville was 
fought on June 17th. Lyon with his larger force was suc- 
cessful. The State troops were scattered and Governor Jack- 
son with a small body of men retreated to Warsaw, Benton 
county. The defeat of the State troops at Boonville was im- 
portant. It greatly discouraged the prosouthern men. Again, 
it gave the Union troops possession of all north Missouri and 
of the Missouri river itself. Finally, it forced Governor Jack- 
son and the State Government to flee, and together with ad- 



Military Missouri 



223 




GENERAL STERLING PRICE 



224 History of Missouri and Missourians 

vancing Union troops from the west it made General Price 
and his army at Lexington retreat immediately. 

Lyon could not follow at once owing to securing wagons 
and supplies, and later he was delayed by high water. In 
the meantime Governor Jackson and his troops had moved to 
Lamar, Barton county, where they were joined by General 
Rains with more State troops. Part of the Union troops at 
Springfield, which had been sent there by Lyon, were now 
ordered under Sigel to Carthage to cut off Price. But Price 
had already passed and gone to join General McCulloch with 
his Arkansas Confederates. Sigel now tried to hold Jackson 
until Lyon could arrive. The battle of Carthage ensued on 
July 5th between 1,000 Union troops and 4,000 State troops. 
Jackson was victorious and Sigel and his men barely escaped 
back to Springfield. 

Price now trained his men at Cowskin Prairie in south- 
west Missouri and gathered supplies and equipment. Lyon 
arrived in Springfield on July 13th. He had 6,000 men un- 
der him but the term of enlistment of 3,000 would expire 
in August. Lyon telegraphed for more men so as to attack 
Price immediately. No reinforcements arrived. Price was 
now growing stronger in every way. Lyon determined to 
risk battle rather than see lost all that he had gained. 

On August 10th, the opposing armies met in the bloody 
battle of Wilson's Creek, ten miles southwest of Springfield. 
Lyon had 5,400 men and Price and McCulloch 11,000 armed 
and 2,000 unarmed men. McCulloch was in command of the 
the joint Missouri and Arkansas troops. General Lyon was 
killed and twenty-four per cent of the men under him were 
killed. Of the State troops and Confederates, 1,242 were 
killed, wounded, or missing. McCulloch and Price were vic- 
torious. If McCulloch had followed the advice and entreaty 
of Price in pursuing the Union troops, the latter might have 
been captured together with their vast stores of equipment 
and ammunition which were badly needed by the Confeder- 



Military Missouri 



225 



ates. But McCulloch declined, stating that he was to protect 
Arkansas and that Missouri had not joined the Confederacy. 
The Union troops retreated to Rolla, leaving Price in control 
of all southwest Missouri. However, a greater loss to the 
Union was the death of General Lyon. He had arrived in 




BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK. BY WYETII 



St. Louis on February 6, 1S61, and he died at Wilson's Creek 
on August 10, 186L During these six months and four days 
he had worked fast and hard, had planned carefully and dar- 
ingly, and had fought bravely and courageously. He together 
with Blair did more to keep Missouri in the Unio than any 
other two men. Colonel Sneed, Price's chief of staff at 
Wilson's Creek, said this of Lyon : "Lyon had not fought 
and died in vain. By wisely planning, by boldly doing, and 
by bravely dying, he had won the fight for Missouri." 

Price now marched to Lexington where he found 
Colonel Mulligan with 3,000 Union men. Price's army grew 



226 History of Missouri and Missourians 

larger and increased to 15,000 men, of whom one-half were 
armed. He beseiged Mulligan and, from September 18th to 
the 21st, the battle of Lexington was fought. The Union 
troops fought behind entrenchments and Price's men attacked 
behind hemp bales, which were moved forward. Mulligan 
was forced to surrender. The losses were slight on both 
sides. If Price could have kept Lexington, the effect of this 
battle would have been important. Men now began enlisting 
under him in large numbers. They came from north and 
south of the Missouri river. But, Union troops were also 
advancing from the north, the east, and the west, and 20,000 
had been sent to Springfield. On September 30th, Price was 
again marching for southwest Missouri. There he was safe 
from possible capture and he was also able to protect the 
secession State Legislature, which met at Neosho on October 
21st. 

General Fremont, who was now in charge of the Union 
troops in Missouri, collected 40,000 men at Springfield. He 
planned to defeat Price, overrun Arkansas, and capture New 
Orleans. This was the same General Fremont who had failed 
to send Lyon a man at Wilson's Creek and had failed to help 
Mulligan at Lexington. Before he had time to begin his 
campaign, Fremont was removed. His successor. General 
Hunter, ordered the Union troops to withdraw to Rolla and 
Sedalia on November 2nd. Southwest Missouri was again in 
control of Price and remained so for three months. The old 
State Government, or rather what was left of it, had now 
joined the Confederacy. But this meant little if Missouri 
was controlled by Union armies. Price had to defeat these 
armies to make secession effective. His army had greatly in- 
creased by recent enlistments and was in good condition. 
The Federal authorities also must wage battle to defeat Price. 
This condition made battle necessary for both sides. 

By the middle of February, 1862, General Curtis with 
his Union troops moved on to Springfield. Price retreated 



Military Missouri 227 

into northwestern Arkansas. He joined forces with McCul- 
loch and Van Horn. General Van Morn took command. He 
had under him 25,000 men, of whom 5,000 were Indians. 
Curtis had 10,500. At Pea Ridge, Arkansas, just below the 
south Missouri boundary line, the two armies met in a three 
days battle. Curtis was victorious and the Confederates were 
forced to retreat. The Union loss was 1,351 men, the Con- 
federate loss was probably greater and included the death of 
General McCulloch. The military struggle for Missouri had 
ended in a Union victory. Missouri now was clear of regu- 
lar Confederate armies. Price and 5,000 of his men were 
transferred east of the Mississippi to aid the Confederacy. 
The hope of the Confederates in keeping Missouri was now 
abandoned and not until 1864 was a Confederate army of 
size again in the State. The battle of Pea Ridge determined 
the military fate of Missouri. 

Federal Military Orders and Confederate Recruiting, 

1861-1862 

After the battle of Pea Ridge about 5,000 of Price's 
men followed him east of the Mississippi to aid the large 
Confederate armies. This number soon increased to 8,000. 
They were organized as the First and Second Missouri Bri- 
gades. They fought throughout the war and at its close 
there were only 800 left. Such was the record made by 
Missourians. 

Many of the old soldiers under Price returned to Mis- 
souri after the battle of Pea Ridge. They came back to re- 
cruit men for the Confederate armies. They found many of 
the citizens discontented and willing to enlist. The causes of 
this discontent were the Federal, or Union, military orders. 
In October, 1861, the State Convention had adopted a mili- 
tary bill which established a Missouri State Militia. This 
was composed of the pro-Union supporters, and companies 
were in nearly every county. In the spring of 1862 this 



228 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Missouri State Militia passed under the control of the Union 
commander of Missouri, General Schofield. The Southern 
sympathizers in Missouri were harassed by their Union 
neighbors and they thought that soon they might be drafted 
to fight for the Union against the South. So when the re- 
turning Confederate soldiers of Price began to recruit in 
1862, man}- Missourians joined them. The Union troops de- 
termined to break up these recruiting bands and to prevent 
them from going south. 

The Confederate recruiting leader in northeast Missouri 
was Colonel Joseph C. Porter, of Lewis county Most of 
his men were unarmed and his camp in Lewis county was 
broken up in July, 1862. Followed by the Union troops he 
and 2,000 of his men, of whom only 500 were armed, were 
overtaken at Kirksville by Colonel John H. McNeil. Here 
the battle of Kirksville was fought on August 6, 1862, and 
Porter was badly defeated. This practically ended Confed- 
erate recruiting in northeast Missouri, although Confederate 
recruits continued to slip through the Federal line on the 
Missouri river. 

Confederate recruiting had also begun in central and 
western Missouri south of the river. A force of these re- 
cruits under Colonel Upton Hayes gathered at Lee's Summit, 
in Jackson county, and they were reinforced by Chnton 
county recruits, under Colonel Hughes, and by the guerillas 
under Quantrell. They attacked the Federal force under 
Colonel James T, Buel at Independence on August 11, 1862, 
and captured it. Five days later they attacked Major Foster 
and his Union troops at Lone Jack. The battle of Lone Jack 
was bitterly fought and neither side was entirely victorious. 
However, owing to approaching Union troops the Confeder- 
ates were forced to retreat and were soon out of the state. 
Although the organized and open recruiting of the Confed- 
erates was a failure due to the Union troops, small bands 
were able to get through the lines and reach the Confederate 
armies. 



Military Missouri 229 

Border Warfare. 1861-1863 

The opening of the war in Missouri in 1861 was imme- 
diately followed by renewal of war on the Kansas-Missouri 
border. "Jim" Lane and his Kansas Freebooters soon in- 
vaded Missouri. When General Frice marched north to Lex- 
ington in 1861, he had chased Lane out of the State, but 
while he was at Lexington, Lane and his men returned and 
on September 23, 1861, they looted and burned Osceola, 
Missouri, and killed a score of people. Later they plundered 
Butler in Bates county and Parkville in Flatte county. Soon 
the Kansas "Red Legs", so called from their red morocco 
leggins, under such leaders as Lane and Jennison became a 
terror to all western Missouri. No man's life or property 
was safe. 

In retaliation for these outrages, Quantrell, the most dar- 
ing of Missouri guerrillas, on August 21, 1863, led a force of 
250 men from Jackson county to Lawrence, Kansas, the 
home of Lane. The town was burned, the stores and banks 
were looted, and 183 persons were killed. Lane managed to 
escape. But the sacking of Lawrence brought revenge. 

Four days later General Thomas Ewing of the Kansas 
troops issued from Kansas City his notorious "Order No. 
11". It commanded all persons in Jackson, Cass, Bates, and 
a part of Vernon county, except those living in or near the 
principal towns, to leave their homes within fifteen days. 
Loyal persons were permitted to move to military stations or 
to Kansas. The order was severely executed. Hundreds 
were forced from their homes, property was destroyed and 
plundered, and in Cass county only 600 of the 10,000 inhabi- 
tants were permitted to remain. Bands of robbers, bush- 
whackers, and soldiers roamed over the blighted district until 
the war closed and when the people came back in 1866 they 
frequently found nothing except their land. 



230 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



General Ewing was strongly denounced for this cruel 
order. On his staff was Colonel Bingham, a Missourian. 
Bingham was an artist of ability. He painted a picture, 
"Order No. 11", which depicted the sufferings of the people. 
This painting is known throughout Missouri. 




ORDER NUMBER ELEVEN. BY BINGHAM 

Other retaliations were practiced. Among these was 
the Palmyra Massacre on August 18, 1862, by the Union 
troops and the (Jentralia Massacre of September 27, 1864 
by Bill Anderson and his men. The war in Missouri had 
become one of cruel practices and bitter hatreds. 

Price's Raid, 1864 

During 1863 the Missouri Confederate military leaders 
made a number of small raids in Missouri. Such men as 
Marmaduke, Shelby, Poindexter, and Jeff Thompson led 



Military Missouri 



231 



these raids. The principal object was to obtain recruits. The 
most famous raid was that of General Price in 1864. 

General Price had been transferred to Arkansas and had 
successfully equipped a force of 12,000 men. He planned to 
enter Missouri when most of the Union troops were in the 
South, capture St. Louis if possible and at least Jefferson 
City, set up the old State Government, have recruits flock to 
his army, and perhaps wage a successful struggle for Mis- 
souri. He entered southeast Missouri on September 20, 1864. 
Half v.ay to St. Louis he was opposed by Union troops un- 
tler General H. S. Ewing. Although victorious, Price march- 
ed to Franklin county and then to Jefferson City. Federal 
troops were now pouring into Jefferson City from all parts 
of Missouri. Price passed around the city on October .8th. 
On his route westward he destroyed much railroad p'"operty. 
In this he was aided by Ouantrell, Anderson, and other 
guerrillas. A small force was sent across the Missouri river 
and captured Glasgow. But Price continued westward. \o\- 
unteers did not enlist in large numbers. At Independence 
Price found himself pursued by one L^nion army under Gen- 
eral Pleasanton and opposed by another under General Cur- 
tis. Along Big Blue river and Brush Creek, l\ing midway 
between Independence and Kansas City, the three days battle 
of W'estport was fought. It was one of the most bitterly 
fought battles of the war, and in proportion to the number of 
men engaged it was one of the most fatal. Price was forced 
to retreat to Arkansas. The raid had been a failure. Instead 
of 23,000 recruits, which he had expected, only 6,000 were 
enrolled. His losses equalled this number. 

The war was over in Missouri, but bushwhacking con- 
tinued until 1865. Missouri contributed 110,000 men to the 
Union service and perhaps 30,000 to 40,000 men to the Con- 
federate service, out of a possible 236,00 men of military age. 
In short, 65 per cent of Missourians of military age in 1860 
had entered military service. This is a very high record. 



232 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Although no battles of first rank were fought in Missouri, 
there were 1,162 battles, engagements, and skirmishes in Mis- 
souri from 1861 to 1865. This is 11 per cent of the total 
combats of the Civil war and more than occurred in any 
state excepting Virginia and Tennessee. Although Missouri 
ranked only eight in population in 1860, still in the number 
of men she furnished the Union army alone she ranked 
seventh. In addition she supplied between 30,000 and 40,000 
men to the Confederate cause. Certainly Missouri bore her 
share, and more, in the war between the states. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. State the four reasons why the possession of Missouri by 
the North was necessary if the Federal government hoped to 
defeat the Confederacy. 

2. When was the open military fight for Missouri begun? 

3. State General Lyon's military plan. State General Price's 
and Governor Jackson's military plan. 

4. Describe the important battle in which these opposing armies 
met. 

5. Discuss the battle of Lexington. 

6. Why was the battle of Pea Ridge a decisive factor in the 
military fate of Missouri? 

7. What was the great incentive for Confederate recruiting in 
Missouri? 

8. What were the events which led up to the issue of "Order 
No. 11?" What was "Order No. 11?" 

9. What was the purpose of Price's raid' in 1864? 

10. What is Missouri's record in her contribution of service men 
in the Civil war? 

11. How does Missouri rank in number of battles and engage- 
ments fought in the State? 



Chapter III 

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR, 1898, AND THE 
MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLE 1915-1917 

The opening of war with Spain on April 21, 1898, was 
followed two days later by President McKinley's call for 
125,000 volunteers. Missouri's quota was one light battery 
and five regiments of infantry. The National Guard of Alis- 
souri at once responded and assembled at Jefferson Barracks, 
near St. Louis, to be mustered into service. Light Battery 
A, recruited in St. Louis under Captain Frank M. Rumbold, 
was the first to be mustered in on May 1st and after two 
months of training at Chickamauga landed in Porto Rico. It 
served here one month and after the close of the war was 
mustered out in November. The five regiments of Missouri 
volunteer infantry were all mustered in during May and were 
trained at various camps over the United States. Owing to 
the early close of the war, none of these saw service in Cuba 
or Porto Rico but all were waiting opportunity to serve their 
country. These five infantry regiments represented every 
part of Missouri. The First Regiment of Missouri Volun- 
teer Infantry, under Colonel Edwin Batdorf, was recruited 
in St. Louis. The second, under Colonel William E. Caffee, 
was recruited in Butler, Clinton, Jefferson City, Joplin, La- 
mar, Nevada, Peirce City, Sedalia, and Springfield. The 
third, under Colonel George P. Gross, was recruited in Kan- 
sas City and Independence. The fourth, under Colonel 
Joseph A. Corby, was recruited in St. Joseph, Bethany, Car- 
roUton, Chillicothe, Fulton, Hannibal, Jefferson Barracks, 
Mar^-ville, Mound City, and Warrensburg. The fifth, under 
Colonel Millon Moore, was recruited in Kansas City, Carth- 
age, Colimibia, Excelsior Springs, Harrisonville, Higginsville, 
Jefferson Barracks, and Alexico. 

When the President made his second call for 75,000 vol- 
unteers on May 25, 1898, Missouri immediately responded 

(233) 



234 



History of Missouri and oMissoukians 



and raised the Sixth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry. 
This was the last regiment mustered into service but it saw 
more service than any other. The sixth, under Colonel 
Fletcher Hardeman, was recruited in Bloomfield, Brookfield, 
California, Carondelet, De Soto, Doniphan, Kennett, Lutes- 
ville, St. Louis, and Willow Springs. It became part of Gen- 
eral Lee's army, went to Cuba, and took part in the occupa- 
tion of Havana. It was highly trained and was called the 
best regiment in Lee's army. Part of the Third Regiment 
of United States Volunteer Engineers was also composed of 
Missourians which saw service in Cuba. The man who was 
first to plant the American flag on Cuban soil during the 
war was a Missourian, Arthur Lee Willard of Kirksville. 

Missouri furnished a total of 8,109 soldiers in this war 
and in no instance was any of the men or officers of Mis- 
.souri troops reported for infraction of military discipline. 
Missouri can take pride in her quick response to the Nation's 
call for men, in the record made by her men, and in the sup- 
port given by her citizens. Missouri's greatest gain from the 
war, aside from the objects for which it was waged, was the 
cementing of the ties of friendship and loyalty between her 
citizens of Northern and Southern sympathy. The sons of 
Union soldiers and the sons of Confederate soldiers alike en- 
listed and marched shoulder to shoulder in support of their 
country. 

Following the close of the Spanish-American war, the 
United States forces in the newly acquired Philippine Islands 
were faced with an organized insurrection of the natives in 
1899. The insurrection was put down in 1900 but fighting 
between the United States troops and some of the savage 
natives, like the Moros, continued for years. There were 
Missourians in the United States army who took an active 
part in these struggles, and both privates and officers cast 
credit on their state. One of the privates, Ferdinando Keith- 
ley, of Barry county, while on picket duty saved an entire 



Military Missouri 235 

camp from massacre by bravely repelling an attacking party 
of twenty Moros one night. He received eleven spear 
wounds in his body but he held off the Moros and then 
crawled one mile to camp to warn his comrades. He died 
the next morning. One of the Missouri oficers was Lieuten- 
ant John J. Pershing, of Linn county. He had fought Indi- 
ans on the plains and Spaniards in Cuba. He served in the 
Philippines almost continuously from 1899 to 1914. He 
made a remarkable record, conquered the Moros, and gave 
the natives a just administration. It was due to this record 
that he was later called upon to serve his country in the 
Mexican Border Trouble of 1915 and 1917, and later in the 
World War of 1917 and 1918. 

The Mexican Border Trouble, 1915-1917 

When the raids of Mexican bandits and the destruction 
of American lives and property early in 1915 made it nec- 
essary for the United States Government to act, General 
Pershing was placed in command of the El Paso, Texas, dis- 
trict. Here he patrolled the boundary line until March, 1916, 
when he was ordered to lead an expedition of 10,000 men 
into Mexico in pursuit of Villa, the Mexican bandit leader. 
With his 10,000 United States cavalrymen he dashed across 
the line and for eleven months lived in a foreign countrw 
He was 400 miles from his base of supplies, surrounded by 
deserts and mountains, bandits and hostile people. He did 
not make war on Mexico for strangely enough that country 
was neither at peace nor at war with the United States. 
General Pershing did not capture Villa but he did conduct 
liis expedition, called the Punitive Expedition, in a way that 
reflected credit to America. 

However, Missouri did more than furnish the com- 
mander. She furnished men, 5,030 in number, in the Mexi- 
can Border Trouble. On June 3, 1916, the National Defen.se 
Act was passed by Congress which federalized the National 



236 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Guards of all the states. Missouri was the first state to 
comply with that act. On June 18, 1916, the call of the 
President for the Missouri National Guard was issued. Two 
days later the Missouri soldiers began assembling at the State 
Rifle Range at Nevada. They were the first to mobilize. On 
July 1st they began leaving for Laredo, Texas, and soon all 
reached the Border. The number furnished by Missouri was 
5,030 officers and men. For six months they patrolled 145 
miles of the border. Due to the care taken of the men, there 
was little sickness and no camp diseases. The men were 
under the general command of Brigadier-General Harvey C. 
Qark, of Nevada. Most of the force was mustered out on 
December 30, 1916, but some were in service until shortly 
before war was declared against Germany. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What was Missouri's quota in the Spanish-American war? 

2. State the facts concerning the regiment which saw the most 
service. 

3. Describe the services of Ferdinando Keithley. 

4. In what waj- did Missouri contribute to the Mexican Border 
trouble? 



Chapter IV 

THE WORLD WAR, 1917-1918 

The history of America's participation in the World War 
against the German Empire and its alHes from April 6, 1917, 
to November 11, 1918, is one of highest credit to the pat- 
riotism of our citizens and to the courage of our soldiers. 
The entire United States was placed on a war basis in pro- 
ducing and conserving food, in making war supplies, and in 
selecting soldiers. In all of these activities Missouri and 
Missourians did their .share and in several instances they 
did more than was required or was expected of them. This 
war record of Missouri falls into four divisions : first, the 
military record of Missouri soldiers; second, the war record 
of the army of citizens at home; third, the record of native 
Missourians who were prominent leaders in the nation during 
the war; and fourth, the gratitude of the State of Missouri, 
as expressed after the war, for the Missouri soldiers who 
were inducted into service. The individual records of Mis- 
souri soldiers in training camp and on battle field would fill 
volumes. Their bearing of hardships and privations, their 
exhibition of bravery and courage, proved that they were 
worthy sons of their patriotic ancestors. 

Military Record of Missouri Soldiers 

Missouri furnished a total of 156,232 officers and men 
in the World war. Of this total, 14,756 were Missouri 
national guardsmen, 92,843 were Missouri selective service 
men, 30,780 were volunteers in the regular army, 14,132 were 
enlisted men in the navy, and 3,721 were enlisted men in the 
marine corps. In short, acording to the report of the adju- 
tant general of Missouri, our State contributed 138,379 men 
to thg army, 14,132 men to the navy, and 3,721 to the marine 

(237) 



238 History of Missouri and Missourians 

corps, — a total of 156,232. It will be impossible to consider 
here the large number of volunteer enlistments from Missouri 
in the different branches of the United States military and 
naval service, since they were widely scattered among vari- 
our organizations over the nation. Mention should be made 
of the 12th Engineers of St. Louis, composed of railway em- 
ployees, which was sent to France on July 28, 1917, was the 
first regiment in France to receive the six months service 
stripes, and performed a great service in aiding in the con- 
struction of army transportation routes in France for the 
American Expeditionary Force and for later arrivals. Ex- 
cepting the 12th Engineers and the various volunteers, am- 
bulance and medical organizations, the first large division of 
Missouri soldiers to be inducted into service was the Missouri 
national guard. 

The Missouri national guard has always made a fine 
record for its training and patriotism. In the Spanish Ameri- 
can war it quickly and patriotically offered its service. In the 
Mexican Border trouble it gave excellent service to the 
government. When war was declared against the German 
Empire on April 6, 1917, its full war strength of 14,656 
officers and men were inducted into national service. After 
training at Camp Clark, Nevada, Mo., it was sent to Camp 
Doniphan, Okla., on Sept. 28, 1917. The 1st Missouri Field 
Signal Battalion, of Kansas City, under Major Ruby D. Gar- 
rett, was detached and sent to France as part of the famous 
42nd (Rainbow) Division, which was composed of national 
guard units of twenty-six states. In France this division saw 
early service and the Missouri battalion made an enviable 
record. 

The rest of the Missouri national guard was consolidated 
with the Kansas national guard to form the 35th Division. 
Missouri furnished two-thirds and Kansas one-third of the 
men. The 35th Division began leaving for France in April 
1918. It saw active service in the Vosges mountains, the St. 



Military Missouri 239 

Mihiel sector, and the great Meuse-Argonne offensive. It 
made a remarkable record for bravery and effective fighting. 
It was given one of the most dangerous and important parts 
of the battle line and it successfully performed its work. Its 
casualties were very heavy, including 1,530 killed and 6,389 
wounded. Its members were awarded two Congressional 
Medals of Honor and 85 Distinguished Service Crosses. It 
was discharged from service during the spring of 1919. 

Speaking of this division in its remarkable fighting 
record along the Meuse-Argonne front, Frederick Palmer, 
the official war correspondent, said: 

"In an advance of over seven miles the 35th had suffered 
7909 casualties. Nearly half of its infantry was dead on the 
field or in the hospital. The other half was in a coma from 
fatigue. Every rod gained had been won by fighting against fire 
as baffling as it was powerful. To say that the 35th fought five 
days as a division is hardly doing it justice. A division may be 
said to be fighting when only one brigade is in line while the 
other is resting. All the men of the 35th were fighting. There 
were soldiers who did not have five hours sleep in that period 
of unbroken battle strain in the midst of the dead and dying. 
Only the powerful physique of the men, with their store of re- 
serve energy which they drew on to the last fraction, enabled 
them to bear it as long as they did. Their courage and endur- 
ance and dash performed a mighty service in a most critical 
sector." 

The first Missouri selective service men were sent to 
Camp Funston, Kansas. Here they were organized as part 
of the 89th Division in September, 1917, and were trained 
under General Leonard Wood. After eight months of train- 
ing the division was sent to France. It was in active service 
in the St. Mihiel advance and in the Meuse-Argonne offen- 
sive. No division made a finer record. Its casualties were 
1,760 killed and 5,838 wounded. Its members received nine 
Congressional Medals of Honor and 138 Distinguished Ser- 
vice Crosses. It was discharged in May 1919, after having 



240 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



served as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany. The 
89th Division has been called the "Fighting 89th". It and 
the "Brave 35th" show^ed the nation that the men of the 
Middle West are brave, fearless, and efficient. 

The loss of Missourians in the World war, including- 
casualties in camps at home, and on the battlefields of 
France, v^as 3,644 killed and 6,944 wounded- — a total of 
10,588, according to the report of the adjutant general of 
Missouri. Missouri troops bore over 3% of the total battle 
deaths and wounded of the American forces. Of battle 
deaths, excluding wounded, the Missouri bo}s suffered 3.4% 
of America's sacrifice on the battlefield. Five of the seventy- 
eight Congressional Medals of Honor were awarded Mis- 
sourians and one hundred sixty- five Distinguished Service 
Crosses were also awarded Missourians. The first American 
to give his life in his country's service in France was a Kan- 
sas City volunteer, Dr. William T. Fitzsimmons. The first 
recruiting station for seamen for the United States navy to 
fill its quota in 1917 was Kansas City, Missouri. In 1917 
Missouri furnished more marines than any other district. The 
second ambulance corps to land in France was" from St. 
Louis. In fact, Missouri did her part, and more, in every 
way in furnishing able, loyal, and patriotic soldiers and sea- 
men. 

The Army of Missourians at Home 

Just as Missouri bo}s in camp and on battlefield upheld 
the high traditions of their State, so did the army of citizens 
at home do their part in organizing their forces to produce 
food, make war materials, economize in consumption, buy 
liberty bonds, contribute to the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., K. 
of C, and Camp Library movements, and in a hundred ways 
show their ability, thrift, and patriotism. This army of Mis- 
sourians at home made sacrifices and showed courage that 
did much to make possible the victory of American arms. 



Military Missouri 



241 



War means men first, but it also means food, clothing, trans- 
portation, supplies, money, and a thousand things in order to 
be successful. Missouri supplied her share of men; she also 
furnished her share of money and materials. 

Missouri's war governor was Frederick D, Gardner. He 
was awake to the situation which confronted the State and 
Nation when war was declared on April 6, 1917. Three days 
later he issued the first state war proclamation calling a 
statewide food conference in St. Louis, the first of its kind 
in the United States. On April 24th the Missouri Council 
of Defence was organized under the direction of F. B. Mum- 
ford, dean of the agricultural college of the University of 
Missouri. This council was in existence twenty-one months 
and during this time it was, in the words of Governor Gard- 
ner, "The supreme authority of the Commonwealth in rela- 
tion to the State's duty to the Nation during the entire period 
of the war." It performed a great work. Its 12,000 mem- 
bers reached every hamlet in Missouri. Missouri's rise from 
rank fourteen in the value of food crops in 1916 to rank five 
in 1917, was largely due to Missouri's Council of Defense. 
It spent its funds wisely and economically. Out of $100,000 
available, it spent only $76,086.47. Still it was rated as a 
class "A" council. Only eight other state councils won that 
distinction, and not one of these had an appropriation under 
$1,000,000. Dean Mumford was also State Food Adminis- 
trator and as such performed equally significant work in be- 
half of Missouri. 

Missourians not only co-operated in organized bodies to- 
produce food and obtain efficient service in support of the 
war, but they also acted as one body in their individual sup- 
port of the war. In each of the Liberty Loan drives they 
subscribed more than their quotas. Even children did their 
part in purchasing war savings stamps. In November 1917, 
over 700,000 Missouri women signed the Hoover Food 
Pledge, placing Missouri first in the nation in proportion to 



242 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



pfjpulalion and second even in actual numbers. Her Boy 
Scouts organized and greatly increased the garden food sup- 
ply. Her universities and colleges offered the services of 
their experts and of many of their students. Her citizens co- 
operated with Lieutenant Governor Wallace Crossley, who as 
State Fuel Director issued and enforced helpful regulations 
regarding the fuel supply of the State. A delegation of Mis- 
sourians was among the first to go to Washington, D. C, 
to list Missouri's lead and zinc mines among the national as- 
sets for prosecuting the war. The Alissouri farmers increas- 
ed their yield of crops from 50% to 100% to supply food 
for the armies. The St. Louis chemical industry increased 
its output and the packing house centers of Kansas City and 
St. Joseph increased their volumes. Everywhere in Missouri, 
as in the nation, conservation, economy, and production in- 
creased. Truly Missouri and Missourians supported with 
sacrifice and patriotism the boys at the front. 

MissouRtANS Among the Nation's Leaders 

In no period of American history have Missourians oc- 
cupied so many important positions in national and interna- 
tional affairs as they did during the years 1917 and 1918. 
They were among the leaders in statecraft, diplomacy, mili- 
tary and naval affairs, and in the many high offices con- 
nected with the prosecution of the war. Of the scores of 
Missourians serving, only a few of the foremost can here 
be mentioned. 

The commander of the American army in France was 
the great Missourian from Linn county, General John J. 
Pershing. The fine morale of the American soldiers and 
their wonderful success on the field of battle were exhibited 
under General Pershing. He was the only leading com- 
mander of a nation's army who in this war held his position 
with satisfaction to his country from the opening to the close 



Military Missouri 



243 




(;km:kai. \: nw 1. I'l ;^sii 1 \g 



144 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



of hostilities. He had executive ability and political astute- 
ness. He did not fail once, he never spoke the wrong word, 
he always left the right impression, and he seems to have 
committed not one important error either at home or abroad. 
Somehow, he met every test. He served his country with 
ability, honor, and success. He was the great Missourian of 
the war. 
-■* 

Standing second only to 

Pershing, was another Mis- 
sourian, General Enoch H. 
Crowder, of Grundy coun- 
ty. As judge advocate 
general of the American 
army he had for years 
given splendid service in 
the thousands of military 
cases and problems which 
came up for his decision. 
When the Selective Service 
Act became a law. General 
Crowder was entrusted 
with its operation. No 
man had a more diffi- 
cult task than General 
Crowder and no man could 
ENOCH H. CROWDER have performed it better. 

The young men of America were listed and without political 
favoritism 4,000,000 men were inducted into service. The 
name of General Crowder and his monumental work will live. 
Missourians were seemingly everywhere performing ser- 
vice for their country. Commander Joseph H. Taussig, of 
St. Louis, directed the first American flotilla of destroyers 
in active American service. Rear Admiral Leigh C. Palmer, 
of St. Louis, became chief of the bureau of navigation and 




MAJOR GENKK.VL 



Military Missouri 245 

as such he had charge of raising 250,000 men for the navy. 
He was the "Crowder of the Navy." Brigadier General 
Edgar Russell, of Breckenridge but a native of Pleasant Hill, 
became chief signal officer of the American forces in France. 
Rear Admiral Robert E. Coontz, of Hannibal, was placed in 
charge of the Puget Sound navy yards. And there were 
scores of other Missourians occupying high positions both in 
the army and navy. 

Missourians also furnished many inventions of value to 
their country. A. A. Kellogg, of Clinton, invented an instan- 
taneous explosion mechanism for shells, which worked havoc 
on the battlefront of the enemy. Captain T. S. M. Smith, 
of St. Louis, solved the problem of crossing the Meuse river 
by forming a temporary footbridge of canvas floats. Lieu- 
tenant Julien A. Gehrung, of St. Louis, discovered a treat- 
ment for poison gas, adopted by the French army, which 
saved thousands of lives and gave sight and hearing to many 
more. Gregory C. Davison, a native of Jefferson City, was 
the inventor of a depth bomb to destroy German submarines. 

As in the field of invention and war, so in the field of 
execution in America were Missourians among the leaders. 
The United States secretary of agriculture, who was director 
of food production, was Hon. David E. Houston, of St. 
Louis. Hon. Carl Vrooman, a native of Macon county, was 
assistant secretary of agriculture and the leader in the speak- 
ing publicity campaign for food production and food conser- 
vation. George Creel, of Lafayette county, was chairman of 
the national committee on information and publicity. Hon. 
David R. Francis, of St. Louis, performed an invaluable 
service as ambassador to Russia. Hon. Breckenridge Long, 
of St. Louis, was assistant secretary of state. Hon. A. M. 
Dockery, of Gallatin, was assistant postmaster general. Ed- 
ward R. Stettinius, of St. Louis, was general purchasing 
agent in America both for Great Britain and France. Robert 
S. Brookings, of St. Louis, was a member of the United 



246 History of Missouri and Missourians 

States central purchasing 5oard. J. Lionberger Davis, of St. 
Louis, was managing director in the office of the national 
custodian of enemy property. Henry Miller, of Hannibal, 
was a member of the American commission of railroad ex- 
perts to assist Russia. John Hunter, of St. Louis, rendered 
great service in the construction of the American marine 
fleet. Bainbridge Colby, of St. Louis, was a member of the 
United States shipping commission. Oscar T. Crosby, of St. 
Louis, was assistant secretary of the United States treasury. 
Ford F. Harvey, of Kansas City, was a member of the 
national Red Cross war finance committee. Miss Julia Stin- 
son, of St. Louis, became chief nurse of the American Expedi- 
tionary Force. James F. Holden and J. A. Middleton, of Kan- 
sas City, and H. M. Adams, of St. Louis, were appointed on 
the board of traffic managers of the director general of 
railroads. Hale Holden, of Kansas City, was appointed su- 
perintendent-in-chief of all the railroads of the United States 
under Director General McAdoo. These were men called 
from the private walks of life who at the sacrifice of their 
business interests gave their services to the country. Mis- 
sourians in Congress were equally loyal and patriotic. Both 
in State and Nation, in camp and on field, at home and 
abroad, Missourians served well and faithfully their country." 

Gratitude of a Grateful People 

When the 50th General Assembly of Missouri met in 
1919 a number of acts were introduced in the interests of 
the Missouri soldiers who had served from this state. This 
legislation, expressive of the gratitude of a grateful people, 
was passed practically by a unanimous vote. It provided for 
the creation of a Missouri soldiers' and sailors' employment 
commission. During the first two years of its existence the 
commission received applications for assistance and secured 
positions for 19,874 Missouri soldiers, sailors, and marines. 
An act was passed providing for the publication by tin- adju- 



Military Missouri 247 

tant general of a history of Missouri military units in the 
war and of a biographical sketch of every Missourian in 
service. This work, which will embrace six volumes, will 
be distributed to all libraries and public schools in the State. 
The General Assembly dedicated the east corridor of the 
new capitol to the purposes of a Missouri soldiers' and sail- 
ors' memorial hall. Here are displayed the battle flags and 
war trophies of Missouri units in all the wars in which the 
State has taken part. This legislation authorized counties 
and cities to erect memorials in honor of its citizens who 
served in the World War and provided that any sum between 
$250. and $1,000. raised for this purpose would be duplicated 
by the State. Provision was also made directing the adjutant 
general to procure and present an appropriate medal to each 
Missouri soldier, sailor, and marine who had served in the 
World War. An appropriation was made to carry out these 
provisions and to erect a monument on the battlefield of 
France in memory of the Missourians W'ho gave their lives 
there. A large appropriation was also made for reorganizing 
the Missouri national guard. 

At a special election held in August 1921 the people gave 
further evidence of their gratitude. The Legislature was 
authorized to incur not exceeding $15,003,000. indebtedness 
for bonuses to Missouri soldiers, sailors, and marines. At a 
special session of the Legislature in November 1921 a sol- 
diers' and sailors' bonus law was passed and pa}ment of the 
bonus began in 1922. So did Missouri show gratitude in 
every way to her defenders. It is fitting that "A Century of 
Military Missouri" should so close. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. In what four divisions docs the war record of Missouri fall? 

2. How many men and officers did Missouri furnish in the 
World War? 



248 History of Missouri and Missourians 

3. The Missouri National Guard was placed largely in what 
military division? The Missouri Selective Service men were 
in what division? 

4. What can you say of the record of the 35th and the 89th 
division? 

5. How did the army of citizens at home contribute to the suc- 
cess of the war? 

6. What was Governor Gardner's first official war proclama- 
tion? 

7. Discuss the record of the Missouri Council of Defense. 

8. Who was the most renowned Missourian during the war? 

9. Name ten Missourians and tell the service each performed 
for his country during the World War. 

10. In what ways have the people of Missouri expressed their 
gratitude? 



PART VI 

A CENTURY OF MISSOURI'S VIC- 
TORIES OF PEACE 

1821-1921 

The test of civilisation is the ability to co-operate 

Chapter I 

A CENTURY OF POPULATION 

This chapter on population treats of Missourians as a 
whole. All Alissourians are greater and more important 
than any one Missourian. So important is the study of 
population that it is necessary to a true understanding of 
our history. If one knows the facts regarding Missouri's 
population during her century of statehood, he will possess 
information which will help explain many things relating to 
politics, war, education, city building, and industry. 

The study of Missouri's population is interesting. The 
population figures alone may mean little, but when in- 
terpreted they tell a fascinating story. This story relates 
how Missouri grew rapidly in population during her first 
half century, how she later held her own for thirty years, 
and how as compared with other states she has been losing 
rank in population during the last twenty years even though 
her population continued to grow. This story explains why 
Missouri was once Democratic by a large majority, then by 
a fair majority, and later by a small plurality. This story 
describes how Missouri was once a southern state in popula- 
tion, then a western state, and to-day is a conservative central 
state. This story tells how the foreign born living in Missouri 
did much to keep the State in the Union and bring success 
to Union arms during the Civil War, and how later the for- 

(249) 



2SO 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



eign born helped increase- the population of Missouri's cities. 
It also relates how Missouri was once a rural state with 
few city dwellers, and how to-day half of her people live in 
cities and her country- districts are losing population. And, 
finally, it illustrates how Missonrians have been settling the 
West until now more Missourians leave Missouri than Mis- 
souri receives from other states. Before telling this story, 
it should be remembered that a mere decrease or a mere in- 
crease in population may mean nothing as regards being 
good or bad in itself. For example, if Missouri's cities were 
to double in population and Missouri's country districts were 
to remain the same in population, instead of hurting the 
country districts this condition in one respect might aid them 
in furnishing them with a larger market for their produce 
close at home. This would mean either higher prices or 
lower costs, especially freight costs, and would result in 
more profitable farming, mining, and lumbering. This 
would mean better homes, schools, churches, and roads in 
the country. So, it is well to remember that there is a silver 
lining to the so-called dark cloud. 

This subject of Missouri's population will be considered 
from four points of view. First, a general survey of Mis- 
souri's population from 1820 to 1920 will be made, including 
population by decades, per cent of increase, density per 
square mile, rank of Missouri, date of organization of coun- 
ties (which indicates the gradual settling up of the State), 
and urban, i. e., city, and rural population. Second, the 
white and the negro population will be set forth. Third, 
the native and the foreign population will be considered. 
And, fourth, the native American population in Missouri will 
be described in regard to the states from which it came. 
The growth of individual cities will be told under "A Cen- 
tury of City Building," and the emigration of Missourians to 
other states will be related under "Missouri, the 'Mother of 
the West' and 'Founder of States.' " 



A Century of Population 251 

General Survey 

From 1820 to 1870 Missouri rose from rank 23 to rank 
5 in population. From 1870 to 1900 she held this rank. 
Since 1900 Missouri's rank has decreased and to-day it is 
9th. During the first fifty years of statehood, from 1820 
to 1870, Missouri's population increased 2,500%, or from 
66,586 to 1,721,295. Her per cent of increase each decade 
(every ten years) was very large, the h'ghest being 173% 
between 1830 and 1840, and her lowest being 47% between 
1860 and 1870. From 1870 to 1920 Missouri's total popula- 
tion doubled, but the largest part of this increase was from 
1870 to 1900. From 1820 to 1870 Missouri grew from two 
to seven times as fast in per cent of increase as did the 
United States but since 1870 the per cent of increase has 
been less than that of the United States. 

Corresponding with Missouri's increase in population 
has been the increase in density of her population, i. e., the 
average number of persons to the square mile. In 1820 this 
density was only .9, or less than one person to the square 
mile, and in 1920 it was 49.5, or nearly 50 persons to the 
square mile. The average density for the United States in 
1920 was 35.5, so Missouri has 40% more persons to the 
square mile than the average for the United States. Mis- 
souri to-day ranks 9th in population, 18th in area, and 19th 
in persons per square mile. From this table other interest- 
ing facts may be brought out: 



252 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Population of Missouri : 1810 to 1920 



Year 


Bank 


Total 
Population 


Number In- 
crease over 

previous 
census 


% Increase 
over precvd- 
lii^ census 


% Increase 
for U. S. 


Total Den- 
Blty ptr sq. 
mile In Mo. 


1810 


22 


19,783 








.3 


1820 


23 


66,586 


46,803 


236.6 


33.1 


.9 


1830 


21 


140,455 


73,869 


110.9 


33.5 


2.0 


1840 


16 


383,702 


243,247 


173.2 


32.7 


5.6 


1850 


13 


682,044 


298,342 


77.8 


35.9 


9.9 


1860 


8 


1,182,012 


499,968 


72,.Z 


35.6 


17.2 


1870 


5 


1,721,295 


539.283 


45.6 


22.6 


25. 


1880 


5 


2,168,380 


447,085 


26.0 


30.1 


31.5 


1890 


5 


2,679,185 


510,805 


23.6 


25.5 


39. 


1900 


5 


3,106,665 


427,480 


16.0 


20.7 


45. 


1910 


7 


3,293,335 


186,670 


6.0 


21.0 


48. 


1920 


9 


3,404,055 


110,720 


34 


14.9 


49.5 



The per cent of increase since 1870 has steadily fallen until 
between 1910 and 1920 it was only 3.4%. In 1880 Missouri 
for the first time had a smaller per cent of increase than the 
United States, and to-day it is less than one-fourth as much. 
Missouri's population in 1920 was 3,404,055. 

The first reason for Missouri's rapid growth from 1820 
to 1870 was because she received many more people from 
other states than she sent to other states. This is called in- 
terstate migration. From 1820 to 1870 Missouri gained 
through interstate migration. The second reason was because 
Missouri gained by receiving a large number of foreign born 
people. Of course, Missouri also gained and still gains 
through natural increase, i. e., through more births than 
deaths. From 1870 to 1900 Missouri continued to gain by 
interstate migration and from 1870 to 1890 Missouri also 
profited largely from immigration of the foreign born, but 
since her population had become large both of these gains 
were in per cent smaller as compared to the years when 
the total population was much less. In short, down to 1900 



A Century of Population 



253 



Missouri, owing especially to her cheap land in the first 
place and to her profitable manufactures in the second place, 
attracted people in large numbers. Since 1890, however, the 
foreign born immigration to Missouri has decreased, and 
since 1900 Missouri has lost through interstate migration. 
Cheaper land in the West has attracted more Missourians 
during the last twenty years than Missouri land has attracted 
citizens of other states. 

As Missouri's population grew what parts of the State 
were settled? This is answered by looking at a map of Mis- 
souri's counties and by checking from the table which shows 
the years of their organization. A county was not organized 
until it had settlers, so the gradual settUng of Missouri is 
seen from the counties organized. 

Table of Missouri Counties 



(The figures in parenthesis indicate the number of counties 
organized that year.) 

YEAR COUNTIES ORGANIZED 

1812 (5) — Cape Girardeau, New Madrid, St. Charles, St. Louis, 

Ste. Genevieve. 

1813 (1)— Washington. 
1816 (1)— Howard. 

1818 (8) — Cooper, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Mont- 
gomery, Pike, Wayne. 

1820 (10) — Boone, Callawaj^, Cliariton, Cole, Gasconade, Lillard (now 

Lafayette), Perry, Ralls, Ray, Saline. 

1821 (2)— St. Francois, Scott. 

1822 (1)— Clay. 

1826 (2) — Jackson, Marion. 

1829 (2)— Crawford, Randolph. 

1831 (D— Monroe. 

1833 (9)— Carroll, Clinton, Greene, Lewis, Morgan, Pettis, Pulaski, 

Ripley, Warren. 

1834 (2) — Henry, Johnson. 

1835 (6)— Barry, Benton. Cass, Polk, Shelby, Stoddard. 

1836 (4) — Audrain, Caldwell, Clark, Daviess. 



254 History ok Missouri and Missourians 

1837 (5) — Linn, Livingston, Macon, Miller, Taney. 

1838 (3) — Buchanan, Newton, Platte. 

1841 (15)— Adair, Andrew, Bates, Camden, Dade, Gentry, Grnnd\, 
Holt, Ja.sper, Osage, Ozark, St. Clair, Scotland, Shannon. 
Wright. 

1844 (1)— Dallas. 

1845 (18)— Atchison, Cedar, De Kalb, Dunklin, Harrison, Hickory. 

Knox, Lawrence, Mercer, Mississippi, Moniteau, Noda- 
way, Oregon, Putnam, Reynolds, Schuyler, Sullivan, Texas 

184<) (3)— Butler, Laclede, McDonald. 

1851 (5) — Bollinger, Dent, Pemiscot, Stone, \'crnon. 

1855 (3)— Barton, Maries, Webster. 

1857 (4)— Douglass, Howell, Iron, Phelps. 

1859 (1)— Carter. 

1860 (D— Christian. 

1861 (1)— Worth. 

1876 — The City of St. Louis was separated from St. Louis 

County. 

In 1820 Missouri had 25 counties, all of which were 
along the Missouri or the Mississippi river except three. Of 
these 25 counties, 15 were south and 10 were north of the 
Missouri river. By 1830 seven more counties had been 
formed, of which only four were along the two big rivers. 
This shows that the settlers were beginning to push back 
into the interior. By 1840 the large number of 30 new 
counties had been formed, showing that Missouri was gain- 
ing fast in new immigrants. By looking again at the table 
of population it will be seen that between 1830 and 1840 
Missouri increased 173.2%. Of these 30 counties, only 6 
were along the two rivers. The north prairie section and 
the south prairie and fertile Ozark section were now be- 
ginning to receive settlers. Between 1841 and 1850 Missouri 
added 37 counties. The large majority of these were the 
prairie counties, north and south, and the rich bottom coun- 
ties in southeast Missouri, but one-fourth were highland 
Ozark counties. By 1850 all the counties except one north 
of the Missom^i river had been organized. From 1851 to 



A Century of Population 255 

IcSol the last 15 counties were added, of which 10 were high- 
land Ozark counties. 

Next in importance to an increase or a decline in total 
population, is the distribution of the population in the city 
and the country. This is referred to as urban population 
and rural population. Urban population, according to the 
United States census, includes all inhabitants living in cities 
of 2,500 or more persons. When the rural population of a 
state increases fast it usually indicates some of these facts, — 
good land at cheap prices, good land at lower prices 
than most states, profitable farming, a per man yearly in- 
come nearly equal to or higher than that of a city laborer, 
and perhaps foreign emigration. When the rural population 
of a state declines fast it usually indicates some of these 
facts, — good land at lower prices in other states, unprofitable 
farming, a per man yearly income less than that of a city 
laborer, the growth of cities, and perhaps a smaller foreign 
immigration. It should be remembered that the entire United 
States has been steadily increasing both in urban and in rural 
population, but the per cent of urban increase has been much 
higher than the per cent of rural increase. Missouri has 
been affected by the national tendency in population just as 
she has been affected by national politics and national wars. 
In some decades Missouri has gone contrary to the national 
tendency in population but over a period of years she has 
gradually followed the general trend. 

The century of Missouri's population from the view- 
point of urban and rural divides itself into three periods. 
The first period from 1820 to 1860 saw her rural population 
growing at a very rapid rate. Missouri's cheap land attracted 
native Americans and foreign bom citizens by the hundreds 
of thousands. The period Avas one of rural growth. There 
were, of course, many towns, some of fair size and of greal 
trading importance, but there was only one large city, St. 
Louis, with a population over 10,000. St. Louis had 160,000 



256 History of Missouri and Missourians 

and had be€n growing at an exceedingly rapid rate since 
1840. 

The second period from 1860 to 1900 saw Missouri's 
rural population continue to grow fast but at a much slower 
rate than her urban. Between 1860 and 1870 St. Louis was 
joined by St. Joseph and Kansas City in the class of big 
cities; The first two gained 100% and the last 600% in 
population during these ten years. Moreover, their combined 
inci^ease was one-third of the total increase of Missouri in 
actual numbers. Still, in 1870 less than 25% of Missouri's 
population lived in towns of size. Between 1870 and 1880 
the per cent of increase of the three large cities was actually 
less than the rest of the state, being only 21% compared 

"with 27^%. Of course, in numbers the rural population 
growth was several times the urban growth. Only 23% or 
less than one-fourth of Missouri's population lived in cities 
over 4,000 in 1880. Missouri was still a rural state with a 

'■ fast growing rural population. Between 1880 and 1890 

'■ conditions of growth were reversed. Now the three citie.-? 
forged ahead again with an increase of 298,000 or nearly 
three-fifths of Missouri's total increase. Missouri now had 
29 cities of 4,000 and over and by 1890 these 29 cities had 
30% of Missouri's total population. Further, Missouri's ur- 
ban population in cities of over 2,500 (the census reports be- 
fore 1890 do not classify the cities of 2,500) was 32% of 
the total. But Missouri was still rural by a big majority. 
Between 1890 and 1900 this urban tendency was repeated, 
the cities grew faster than the country both in per cent and 
in numbers. The urban increase was 32% and the rural in- 
•crease was 8^%. Twenty-one Missouri counties lost popu- 
lation. By 1900 Missouri had 50 cities of over 2,500 and 
36% of Missouri's total population lived in these cities and 

^64% ^lived in the smaller towns and in the country. Even 
the three large cities now had 27% of the population. But, 
if all Missouri towns in 1900 are included regardless of size 



A Century of Population 



257 



I 



Ob o 



n 3 



if 



^^r 



VT^ 



J. 






j14 !. 







„ --W,,_- 

sill I? if It! 



ik 







Ki.J!iMir1:JH^n?ii-ir[!^ 



1^1 








258 illSTOKV OF AllSSOUKI AND AllSSOUklANS 

46% of Missouri's population lived there, and only 54% 
lived in the country. Missouri had almost reached an 
equilibrium between city and country population. 

Conditions in Missouri in 1900 were ready for a tremen- 
dous growth in urban population, especially in the large 
cities, and for a decline or at least a standstill in country 
and rural population. (Rural population includes all towns 
under 2,500.) These were the conditions: rising land prices 
in Missouri, rising labor wages, slow rise in farm product 
prices, cheap land to the west, northwest, and southwest, easy 
transportation to these lands, profitable manufacturing and 
big railroad centers tending to build up the cities, and decline 
in foreign immigration to Alissouri. And this was the re- 
sult. Between 1900 and 1910, 62 Missouri cities over 2,500 
had a gain of 24% which was 147% of Missouri's total 
gain! This meant that rural Missouri had lost 33/-% for the 
first time in her history, and 71 counties showed decreases. 
Urban Missouri now had 42)^% of Missouri's population 
and rural Missouri had 57^^%. But if all towns are added 
to urban Alissouri, there was 53.4% of Missouri's population 
in towns and 46.6% in the country. Between 1910 and 1920 
the same tendency was seen. Urban Missouri had a gain of 
14% which was 171% of Missouri's total gain. Rural Mis- 
souri had lost 4% in population and 89 counties showed de- 
creases. Urban Missouri by 1920 had 46.6% of Missouri's 
population and rural Missouri had 53.4%. If all towns were 
added to urban Missouri, there was 58% in towns and 42% 
in the country. Briefly, between 1900 and 1920 urban Mis- 
souri had increased 40% and rural Missouri (including towns 
under 2,500) had lost 8%. Since 1890, a period of 30 years, 
urban Missouri has nearly doubled (83%), and rural Mis- 
souri has been at a standstill in population (actual loss was 
about 5,000). Since 1890 Missouri has lost in fore'gn born 
and since 19C0 she has lost in interstate migration, i. e., more 
American citizens have left Missouri than have come to Mis- 
souri. 



A CiiNTURY OF Population 



259 



White and Colored 

Missouri has never had a large colored population com- 
pared with the white population. This colored population is 
a negro population since Missouri even in 1920 hrd less than 
one thousand persons of color other than negroes. From 
1820 to 1860 nearly all negroes in Missouri were slaves, the 
number of free negroes never being more than 3.3% of the 
total negro population. After the Civil War all negroes 
were free. 

The negro population has never increased so fast in 
numbers as the white, and only twice (1820-1830 and 1910- 
1920) has it had a larger per cent of increase. Moreover 
the negro population has twice (1860-1870 and 1900-1910) 
had an actual decrease in numbers. The largest increase in 
negro population was from 1820 to 1860, during the years 
of slavery, when it increased 108,000 or 1,000/G. During 
the same period the whites increased over one million or 
1.800%. From 1860 to 1920 the negro increased only 
■60,000 or 50%. During the same period the whites increased 
2,161,000 or 200%. This table summarizes the facts: 

Missouri's White and Negro Population 



Year 


White 


% White 


Negro 


<"- No; ro 






Increase 




Increase 


1810 


17,227 




3,618 




1820 


55,988 


225 


10,569 


164 


1830 


114,795 


105 


25,6C0 


143 


1840 


323,888 


182 


59,814 


133 


1850 


592,004 


83 


50,040 


70 


1860 


1,063,489 


80 


118,503 


32 


1870 


l,e03,146 


51 


118071 


(decrease) 


1880 


2,022,826 


26 


145,350 


23 


1890 


2,528,458 


25 


150,184 


3/2 


1900 


2,944,843 


16 


161,234 


• 7 


1910 


3,134,932 


6 


157,452 


(decrease) 


1920 


3,225,044 


3 


178,241 


13 



26o 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Native American Born and Foreign Born 

Missouri has alvva}s been a state of native born citizens^ 
that is citizens born in the United States. To-day 94>^% of 
Missouri's population is native born and only 5>^% is 
foreign born. However, in decades past the foreign born 
percentage has been much higher. Missouri had some 
foreign born before 1850, principally Germans, but not a large 
number. Between 1850 and 1860 Missouri had her largest 
increase both in number and in per cent of foreign born. 
In 18(30 about 14% of Missouri's population was foreign 
born. The increase was also very large between 1860 and 
1870, but since 1870 the increase has been getting smaller 
and smaller and during 30 years of the last 50 years Mis- 
souri's foreign born has actually decreased in number. To- 
day Missouri's foreign born is smaller in number than in 
any census year since 1860. This table will show the trend 
of Missouri's foreign born population since 1850. 

Missouri's Foreign Born, 1850-1920 



Year 


Foreign 


Increase 


% Increase 


% Total 




Boru 


Foreign Born 


Foreign Born 


Population 


1850 


76,570 






11 


1860 


160,541 


83,949 


110 


14 


1870 


222,267 


61,726 


38 


13 


1880 


211,576 


—10,689 
(decrease) 


—5 
(decrease) 


10 


1890 


234,348 


23,291 


11 


9 


1900 


216,378 


—18,490 

(decrease) 


-8 
(decrease) 


7 


1910 


229,779 


13,400 


6 


7 


1920 


186,026 


-^3,753 
(decrease) 


—19 
(decrease) 


5.5 



This foreign born population has also changed in charac- 
ter since 1850. In 1850 three-fifths had come from Germany, 
one-fifth from Ireland, and the other one-fifth largely from 



A Century of Population 261 

Canada and the British Isles. In 1860 the proportion was 
about the same except that now one-fourth had come from 
Ireland and only a little over one-half from Germany. 
Twenty years later, 1880, the proportion still remained the 
same but some Swiss had appeared. By 1900 the German 
born still made up one-half of the foreign born but the 
Irish born had fallen to one-seventh. The decline in Irish 
born was largely filled with foreign born from Russia, Italy, 
Austria, and Sweden. In 1920 the German born was only 
30%, the Irish 8%, and the Canadian-English 9%, but the 
foreign born from Russia had risen to 10%, from Italy to 
8%, from Austria and Hungary 9%, and from Czecho-Slo- 
vakia and Poland to 7%. Briefly, almost one-half of Mis- 
souri's foreign born in 1920 came from countries which had 
sent practically no people here in 1860. 

Where do Missouri's foreign born live, in the country 
or the cities? In 1900, 70% lived in Missouri cities, in 1910, 
76% lived in Missouri cities, and in 1920, nearly 80%. Mis- 
souri's foreign born population is an urban population. 

Nativity 

Sources of Missouri's Native American Population 

Missouri is a state of native born Americans. This has 
been true for the last one hundred years. In 1920 nine out 
of every ten persons in Missouri had been born in the United 
States, the actual proportion being 94.5%, and seven out of 
every ten persons had been born in Missouri. Down to 1850 
the native free population of Missouri had been born either 
in Missouri or in the southern states lying to the east. The 
northern states had contributed some settlers but only a small 
per cent of the total population. The five great southern 
states, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and 
Maryland (especially the first three) had been the homes 
of Missourians. Missouri was settled largely by southerners. 



262 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Between 1850 and 1860 five northern states began pouring 
in settlers, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New.' 
York. But even in 1860 there were nearly twice as many 
native free born in Missouri from the southern states as 
from the northern states. By 1870 the northern native born 
whites exceeded the southern native born whites, although, 
of course, owing to the great increase of persons bom in 
Missouri, the State was still largely southern in .stock. By 
1880 the northern immigrants were 40% larger than the 
southern, and Iowa and Kansas had joined the other north- 
ern states in sending Missouri settlers, while Maryland had 
practically dropped out of consideration. In 1880 the Mis- 
souri settlers of southern birth reached their highest number. 
Since that year the southern states have gradually sent fewer 
and fewer settlers. In 1900 the northern born settlers were 
over twice as large as the southern born and in 1910 they 
were two and one-half times as large. The principal cause 
of this change has been the fact that Missouri land down to 
1860 was cheaper than southern land. The Civil War pros- 
trated the southern states, reduced the growth of their adult 
white population, and, owing to various causes, resulted in 
making land very cheap in those states after the war. This land 
remained cheap for decades. On the other hand, although 
Missouri land was cheap, it was rising faster than southern 
land. But, the land in northern states was rising even faster. 
So, the cheaper Missouri land attracted settlers from the 
northern states. This also partly explains why Missouri has 
become a close state politically, since before 1870 her settlers 
had come largel\' from Democratic states and after 1870 her 
settlers had come largely from Republican states. Missouri, 
since 1870, received more northern settlers than southern. 
This table makes clear these and other interesting facts. 



A Century of Population 



263 



Missouri's Nativi-: American Population Siiowinc Num- 
ber Born in Missouri, and Number Born in tiii-: North- 
ern and the Southern States Wmcii Contributed 
Most to Missouri's Popui.aiion : 



Year 


Total 

Native 

Free 


Born tn 
Missouri 


Born 111 Ky., Born In 111., 0., 
Tenn., Va., I'a., N. \ .. 
N. C, Md., Iowa, and 
and Ark. Kan. 


1850 


520,826 


277,604 


176,653 49,737 


1860 


906,540 
Total native white 


475,246 


253,639 138,486 


1870 


1,380,972 

Total native 

population 


788,491 


238,656' 288,335" 


1880 


1.956,802 


1,268,641 


258,988= 355,537' 


1900 


2,8';0,286 


2,035,251 


224,719 501,845 


1910 


3,063,556 


2,222,925 


191,489' 495,610 


1920 


4,225,430 


2,382,282 


Born in all other states 
821,375' 



'Arkansas included for first time. 

-Iowa included for first time. 

'Maryland not included, — too small. 

'Kansas included for first time. 

"North Carolina not included, — too small. 

"The 1920 census figures by states are not available at this time. 

Interstate Migration 

l3ovvn to 19(X) Missouri attracted a larger and larger 
number of settlers from other states, but beginning in 1860 
Missouri lost a larger and larger number of those born in 
Missouri who went to other states. However, down to 1900 
Missouri gained more than she lost through this interstate 
migration, i. e., native born Americans coming to Missouri 
and native born Missourians leaving Missouri. In 1850 only 
one native free born Missourian in eight to nine lived out 
of Missouri, in 1860 one in six to seven, in 1870 one in six, 
and in 1880 one in five to six. But in 1900 one in four to 
five native born Missourians lived out of Missouri, in 1910 



264 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



one in three to four, and in 1920 one in three. The reasons 
for this emigration of Missourians born in Missouri to other 
states will be set forth in the "Missouri, 'Mother of the 
West' and 'Founder of States,' " Of course, it was largely 
due to cheaper land in the West. The result of this growing 
emigration of Missourians was to show an actual net loss 
for Missouri through interstate migration in 1910. By 1920 
this loss was 315,235. Another result was to lessen the 
natural growth of the Democratic vote since part of rural 
Missouri, which was at first largely of southern Democratic 
stock, sold its land at higher prices than it had paid and 
many moved westward and southwestward to buy cheaper 
land. It should be remembered that Republican rural Mis- 
souri counties have also lost population but the Democratic 
rural counties, being the first settled, were among the first 
to lose and, therefore, have lost more. This table will make 
clear other facts: 

Interstate Migration To and From Missouri 



Born in Mo. Born in Mo. Born in Other Net Gain or Loss by 

Year and Living and Living in States and Liv- Interstate Migration 

in Missouri Other States Ing in Missouri 



1850^ 


277,604 


37,824 


243,222 


205,398 


Gain 


1860» 


475,246 


87,043 


428,222 


339,179 


» 


1870= 


788,491 


148,073 


592,481 


444,408 


" 


1880' 


1,268,641 


285,577 


688,161 


402,584 


" 


1890^ 


1,662,134 




782,181 






1909 


2,035,251 


618,248 


855,035 


236,787 


" 


1910 


2,222,925 


918,958 


822,738 


92,220 


Loss 


1920 


2,382,282 


1,136,610 


821,377 


315,235 


" 



'Applies only to native bom free. 

^Applies to native bom whites. 

•Applies to total native born from 1880 to 1920. 

^Figures are approximate. 



A Century of Population 265 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Why is a study of population essential to the understanding 
of Missouri history? 

2. If we interpret population figures what transitions and events 
in Missouri history may be explained? 

3. What rank in population has Missouri held since 1820? 

4. With increase of population what was the change in the loca- 
tion of the newly organized counties? 

5. Define the terms, rural population, urban population, and 
density of population. 

6. Missouri's population is considered from what four points of 
view? 

7. What factors will influence the increase or decrease of rural 
population? 

8. How do you explain the rapid growth of the rural popula- 
tion from 1820 to 1860? 

From 1860 to 1900 Missouri's rural population continued to 
grow fast but at a much slower rate than her urban. Why? 
Beginning in 1900 why was there such a rapid growth in 
urban population? 

What per cent of Missouri's population is native born and 
what per cent foreign born? 

Is the foreign born population an urban or a rural popula- 
tion? 

Down to 1850 what states sent the most settlers to Mis- 
souri? 

Beginning in 1860 what great change took place in the im- 
migrant population to Missouri? 

Why did northern settlers so outnumber the southern set- 
tlers after 1860? 

If northern settlers predominate over southern settlers what 
will be the effect on the state politically? 
What other factor in population has tended to decrease the 
Democratic vote and increase the Republican vote? 
Why have rural Democratic counties lost more through in- 
terstate migration than rural Republican counties? 



Chapter II 

MISSOURI "FOUNDER OF STATES" AND "MOTHER 
OF THE WEST" 

Virginia is "the Mother of Presidents," Kentucky "the 
Mother of Governors," and Missouri "the Mother of the 
West and Founder of States." This means that Virg'nia 
has been prominent in giving birth to presidents, Kentucky 
in producing governors for herself and other commonwealths, 
and Missouri in opening and settling the West and in sup- 
plying settlers who aided in founding western states. Mis- 
souri deserves this title through her explorers, traders, sol- 
diers, statesmen, and settlers. 

Under the Austins of Potosi, Missouri, Missourians 
fought for Texas' independence and later made homes in the 
"Lone Star State" by the thousands. Missourians led in the 
settling and founding of Oregon. They were prominent in 
the settling of California. Under Doniphan and his army of 
Missourians they added the Southwest to the Nation. Later 
they rushed in large numbers to help settle Colorado, Idaho, 
Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, and Washington. They gave 
Colorado, California, New Mexico, and Wisconsin, their first 
governors ; and they later gave governors to Arizona, Idaho, 
and Utah. In addition, they have furnished to western 
states, statesmen, senators, and representatives in Congress. 

Missouri's central geographical location and her early 
settlement were the main causes for the prominent part play- 
ed by her in the West. This part began in trade and ex- 
ploration and has been told under "Missourians the Trail- 
makers and Traders of the West." It is not necessary to 
retell the story of the great exploring expeditions of Lewis 
and Clark, Pike, Long, and Fremont. All started from Mis- 
souri and were composed largely of Missourians. Missouri 
was the pathfinder of the West. It is also not necessary to 

(266) 



Missouri "Mother ok tiik W kst" 267 

retell the story of Missouri's fur trade to the west and north- 
west and of her great Santa F"e trade to the southwest. 
Through this western trade Missouri became the commercial 
center of the West and along these trade routes, Missourians 
later traveled to settle the West. 

Missouri also deserves credit for the important services 
rendered the West through two of her great statesmen, Sen- 
ator Thomas H. Benton and Senator Lewis F. Linn. These 
two men worked harder and more successfully to obtain and 
retain the great Oregon Country, i. e., Washington, Oregon, 
and Idaho, than any others in the United States. To them 
this nation and these three states owe a great debt. In fact, 
although Linn was Missouri's senator and died on Missouri 
soil, he was called "The Father of Oregon." He was also 
called the "low'a Senator" because he did so much for the 
early settlers in that territory. Senator Benton was the 
West's greatest advocate and friend in the United State? 
Senate. His life was largely devoted to the West. He advo- 
cated cheap government land to enable settlers to buy, and 
he urged government protection against the Indians to en- 
able settlers to stay. 

MissouRL\xs Settle Many Western States 

Down to 1850 and even later Missouri was largely a 
pioneer state in population. Her population was small and 
her land was cheap. Therefore, there was no great incentive 
for any larger number of her people to emigrate westward. 
Only states west of the Mississippi river will be considered 
here since the states east of the Mississippi have sent Mis- 
souri more people than Missouri has sent to them. Tliis 
latter was true of Iowa after 1870. By 1850 only 37,824 
Missouri-born lived outside of Missouri. These had gone 
principally to California, Arkansas, Texas, and Oregon, in 
the order named. .-Xlthough Missouri had sent twice as 
many to each of the first three as she had to Orci/on, still. 



268 History of Missouri and Missourians 

in proportion to the native born of other states, Missouri 
ranked higher in Oregon than in any state. In fact, in Ore- 
gon there were twice as many Missourians as there were 
citizens from any other state. Missourians ranked first in 
number in Oregon down to 1900, a period of fifty years. 
Missourians largely settled Oregon. In 1910 there were 
25,456 native born Missourians in Oregon and they ranked 
third in number. Missourians ranked high in California in 
1850 and held next to the highest rank in number for forty 
years. Since 1900 Missourians have ranked third in Cali- 
fornia. In 1910 there were 67,786 Missourians in California. 
Although many Missourians have gone to Texas, they have 
not ranked high in number compared with the emigrant.s 
from southern states. In 1910 there were 59,061 Missourians 
in Texas and they ranked fifth. The same general condition 
applies to Arkansas as to Texas. In 1910 there were 54,046 
Missourians in Arkansas and they ranked third. 

By 1870 Missourians were settling other states besides 
California, Arkansas, Texas, and Oregon. Thousands were 
now flocking to Kansas, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and 
Washington,^ — ^especially to the first three. There were more 
Missourians in Kansas in 1870 than there were in any othei 
state except Missouri. They numbered 23,829 but compared 
to the natives of other states they ranked only fourth. In 
1900 they had risen to second rank and in 1910 to first rank. 
From 1870 to 1900 more Missourians went to Kansas than 
to any other state, and by 1910 there were 139,803 Missouri- 
ans living there. 

In 1870 the Missourians in Colorado numbered 1,595 
and they ranked fourth. In 1880 they numbered 12,435 and 
ranked third. In 1900 they numbered 31,188 and ranked 
second. And in 1910 they had risen to 50,729 and ranked 
first. 

In 1870 the Missourians in Montana numbered 1,252 
and they ranked second. In 1880 they numbered 2,493 and 



Missouri "Mother of the West" 269 

they ranked first. In 1900 they numbered 10,562 and still 
ranked first, but in 1910 they ranked third although the> 
numbered 15,703. 

In 1870 there were only 533 Missourians in Idaho but 
so small was the population of the territory that they ranked 
third. In 1880 there were 1,393 and they ranked second. 
They held this rank until 1900. In 1910 they numbered 15,289 
and ranked third. 

In 1870 Washington had 936 Missourians and the> 
ranked fourth. By 1880 they had risen to second rank and 
numbered 3,160. In 1900 they had fallen to seventh rank 
and numbered 16,757; but by 1910 they had risen to fifth 
rank and numbered 38,665. 

By 1880 Missourians had begun going to Wyoming 
where they numbered 1,163 and ranked fourth. In 1900 
they had increased to 4,412 and in 1910 to 7,295, but they 
have never ranked higher than fourth. 

By 1900 Missourians had appeared in varying numbers 
in Indian and Oklahoma territories, Nebraska, New Mexico, 
and Arizona. Excepting only Kansas, there were more 
Missourians in 1900 in what later became Oklahoma than in 
any other state outside Missouri. They numbered 80,304 
and ranked second. By 1910 Oklahoma ranked first in 
native born Missourians and Missourians ranked second in 
Oklahoma. They numbered 162,266. 

In 1900 Nebraska claimed 26,588 Missourians and in 
1910 they had increased to 32,929. Compared to other states, 
Missourians have not ranked high in number in Nebraska. 

In 1900 there were 3,458 Missourians in New Mexico 
and they ranked second. In 1910 they had increased to 
11,605 and had the same rank. 

In 1900 there were 3,187 Missourians in Arizona and 
they ranked fourth. In 1910 they had increased to 5,206 
and had advanced to third rank. Missourians have settled 



270 History of Missouki and Missourians 

in other western states as Nevada and Utah but not in large 
numbers. 

From this brief survey it is clear that Missourians have 
played a prominent part in settling the West. Other states 
have also contributed largely in this w^ork but the very fact 
that Missourians have at some time ranked first or second 
in number in eleven states, shows the remarkable position 
occupied by them. These eleven states are Oregon, Cali- 
fornia, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Kansas, Oklahoma, 
Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Arizona. 

The three principal causes for this emigration of native 
born Missourians were cheap land, mineral wealth, and cli- 
mate. Of these three causes, cheap land was easily the main 
incentive. The older states to the east have also gone 
through this experience. In fact, it is the East which settles 
the West. As the western land reaches an equality with the 
land in Missouri then emigration westward will slacken un- 
less new areas of land are reclaimed and opened to the pub- 
lic. Again, it is not improbable that Missouri migration 
westward may show a smaller net loss in the future owing 
to the economic attraction of Missouri's large cities. For 
example, in 1900 Illinois had sent Missouri 179,342 and Mis- 
souri had sent Illinois 69,211, — a net loss to Illinois of 
110,000. In 1910 Illinois had sent Missouri 186,691 but Mis- 
souri had sent Illinois 85,161, — a net loss to Illinois of only 
101,000. This may not indicate anything but it may indicate 
a new tendency, i. e., a slight trend eastward on account of 
cities to offset the trend westward on account of cheap land. 
It may also indicate that at least some western land has 
reached an equality in income with good land lying east of 
it. What applies to Illinois and Missouri may later apply to 
Missouri and Kansas. Of course the attraction of climate 
and scenery will always remain with some states, but these 
attractions are limited so far as drawing a large em'gration 
from any one state. To attract new residents in large num- 



MissoiTRi "Mother of the West" 271 

bers, a state must possess some great economic asset or ad- 
vantage. Missouri's central location, her natural resources, 
her strategically situated cities, her crossroads of trade and 
transportation, and her potential water transportation and 
water power, not considering the possibilities of her Ozark 
climate and scenery when properly exploited, will some day 
take from her the present honor of b:.Mng a founder of states 
and that honor will pass into the history of the past. 

Su(;gestive Questions 

1. Give an example of how Missouri has earned the title "The 
Mother of the West and the Founder of States" through (1) 
explorers, (2) traders, (3) soldiers, (4) statesmen, (5) set- 
tlers. 

3. What were the three principal reasons for the emigration to 
the West of native born Missourians? 

3. Why was there no incentive for westward emigration from 

Missouri before 1850? 

4. What states were the first to be settled by Missourians? 

5. -What states were settled by Missourians in great numbers 

after 1870? 

6. What fact proves that Missouri contributed largely to the 

settling of the West? 

7. Do you think the great western migration will continue? 



Chapter III 
A CENTURY OF MISSOURI AGRICULTURE 

Agriculture is Missouri's most important industry. It 
employs more people and produces more wealth than any 
other. Missouri is a great agricultural state. It ranks from 
fifth to eighth in the annual value of all crops and normally 
stands fourth in the number and value of live stock. Mis- 
souri ranks sixth in the number of farms and in the number 
of acres in farms, and seventh in the value of farm land 
and farm buildings. In 1920 Missouri had 263,004 farms,, 
embracing 34^ million acres. The total value of these 
farms, including land and buildings, live stock and machin- 
ery, w^as over Zyi billion dollars. These figures give some 
idea of the supremacy held by agriculture in Missouri. 

The present status of agriculture in Missouri is the re- 
sult of a century of work and progress. During part of 
this time the growth was rapid and the farmer prospered, 
but during other years the growth was slow and sometimes 
the farmer suffered severely through crop failures, animal 
diseases, and low prices for his products. The two greatest 
aids to Missouri agriculture were the introduction of agri- 
cultural machinery and the improvement of transportation 
through the steamboat and the railroad. The former directh 
increased production; the latter made farming a profitable 
business. To-day Missouri agriculture has greater opportunity 
for future development than ever before. 

Primitive Period to 1840 

Down to 1840 Missouri agriculture was in the primitive 
stage. The farm homestead was largely independent of the 
rest of the world. It was an economic unit which produced 
the food, clothing, shelter, and most of the manufactured 
articles used on the farm. Under this system the farm was 
primarily cultivated to provide the necessities of the family 

(272) 



A Century of Agriculture 



273 



and the home and not primarily for the purpose of making 
money or accumulating wealth. Of course men made money 
by buying and selling farms but men farmed primarily to 
make a living and not to make money. The acreage 
of cultivated land was small and there was practically no 
machinery. The tools, which were handmade, were few 
in number and were crude. Corn, the main crop, was 
usually poorly cultivated, owing to poor plows; wheat was 
not raised in large quantities owing to the laborious methods 
used in cutting by sickle or scythe, threshing it by stamping 
or pounding, and separating it from the chaff and straw by 
hand or a hand-driven machine. As late as 1839 the annual 
production of corn in Missouri was only 17 million bushels 
and the production of wheat was only one million bushels. 
Even had there been a great surplus of grains, the diffi- 
culties of transportation were too great to warrant extensive 
development of agriculture. The river steamboat was just 
entering its great phase of usefulness, the dirt road was im- 
passable half of the year, and the railroad had not arrived in 
Missouri. 

Land was cheap, great areas of good government land 
being still obtainable at $1.25 an acre. The land was rich 
and produced in abundance. The principal garden vege- 
tables, except tomatoes, were grown. Living was cheap and 
no one was in need of meat owing to wild game and forest- 
fed hogs. The price of board and lodging was $1.00 a week 
and a 15 pound turkey sold for 12>4 cents in the '20s. 
Small orchards were plentiful and both wild and tame fruits 
were abundant. The pioneer farm folks were very sociable. 
They helped each other in every way possible. However, 
they had few conveniences, very few schools, poor 
roads, little medical attention, much sickness and a high 
death rate among women and children. The forests were 
full of wild animals, some harmful to both man and beast; 
poisonous snakes were common; fevers and chills were fre- 



274 History of Missouri and Missourians 

quent in the home; and prairie and forest fires sometimes 
devasted whole areas of land. Aside from lack of transpor- 
tation, the pioneer fanner's greatest hardship was clearing 
land. As early as 1825 it cost in labor at 62J/2 cents a 
day about $6.00 to clear an acre of land. A very few acres 
of cleared land were sufficient to raise the family food. In 
short, during this primitive period, it was easy to obtain land 
and make a living, but it was difficult and it was unneces- 
sary to make money by farming. , 

Period of Transition, 1840-1860 

During this period the farm changed to a money making 
business. Under the new plan the farm was cultivated pri- 
marily for the purpose of making money and secondarily for 
the purpose of providing food and clothing for the family. 
Of course, the change from the old system was gradual and 
progressed at different rates in different sections. In some 
parts of Missouri the old self-sufficing homestead still ex- 
isted at the end of this period while in other parts it had 
passed away before 1840. However, there was a gen- 
eral change during these twenty years between 1840 and 186C 
toward making the farm a money making business. Land 
was now becoming more valuable and much of the best land 
had been taken up by settlers. In parts of the State farm 
machinery was being introduced, combined with better tools 
and implements. The reaper, the iron plow, the thresher, 
and other labor saving machinery had appeared. This made 
possible greater production of grains. By 1849 the annual 
production of corn in Missouri had increased to 36 million 
bushels and of wheat to nearly three million bushels, — an 
increase in ten years in corn of over 100% and in wheat of 
nearly 200%. By 1859 corn had again doubled to nearly 73 
million bushels and wheat had increased to over four million 
bushels. Corn has always been Missouri's main crop but in 
those days it was much more important compared with 



A Century of Agriculture 



275 




276 History of Missouri and Missourians 

wheat than it is to-day. For example, in 1859 Missouri pro- 
duced 17 bushels of corn to one bushel of wheat, but in 
1920 Missouri produced only six bushels of corn to one 
bushel of wheat. Another factor which was making farming 
a money making business was the development of transporta- 
tion. The roads were being improved, the steamboat traffic 
was flourishing, and the railroad had appeared. St. Louis 
and other markets were growing fast. All of these combined 
with a remarkable increase in population and the introduction 
of improved live stock, brought about a new era in agricul- 
ture in Missouri. The farmer was prosperous and making 
money, his land was increasing in value, his production was 
increasing, and population was growing. Missouri was now 
an agricultural state with great possibilities. 

Period of Rapid Growth, 1860-1890 

The period from 1860 to 1890 marked another era of 
rapid growth and expansion. Missouri increased greatly in 
population, most of which was rural, and large areas of new 
land were brought under cultivation. Following the Civil 
War a land boom appeared. Agricultural produce prices were 
high, the acreage yield was high, and the farmer made 
money. His land advanced rapidly • and an after- war 
prosperity was present. This gave place to a severe depres- 
sion in the '70s. Land fell in value and corn averaged only 
32 cents a bushel compared to 43 cents in the latter '60s. 
Wheat fell from $1.08 to 93 cents a bushel but this decline 
was not so severe as in the case of corn. This difference 
in decline between corn and wheat combined with the use 
of agricultural machinery greatly stimulated the production 
of wheat. Corn increased from an annual average of 66 
million bushels to 103 million bushels, an increase of 56% ; 
wheat increased from Sy2 million bushels to nearly 17 million 
bushels, an increase of 200%. The value of the wheat crop 
was now equal to one-half the value of the corn crop whereas 



A Century of Agriculture 277 

in the latter 'bOs its value had been only one-fifth of the 
corn crop. In the 'SOs the price of corn rose to an average of 
353^ cents a bushel and the production rose to an average of 170 
million bushels, an increase of 65%. Wheat fell in price 
to 79 cents and, although agriculture was rapidly expanding 
and transportation was improving, the average production 
of wheat rose to only 21% million bushels, an increase of 
only 36%. Moreover, the total annual value of the corn 
crop rose to 57 million dollars but the value of the wheat 
crop was only 17 million dollars. By 1890 Missouri was 
nearing her full acreage both in wheat and in corn. During 
the next thirty years the corn acreage increased only 10% 
and the wheat acreage about 20%. 

The production of oats was increased even more rapidly 
than wheat during this period from 1860 to 1890, rising from 
an average of 5 million bushels in the latter '60s to 31 mil 
lion bushels in the '80s, an increase of 500%. The produc- 
tion of tame hay also increased greatly. Corresponding with, 
the great growth in grain farming was the expinsion of the 
live stock industn.^ This industry also improved through 
the introduction of better breeds. Milk cows more than 
doubled in number and in value. Other cattle increased 
nearly 200% in number and about 150% in value. Hogs 
increased 150% in number and in value. Sheep alone show- 
ed little improvement in number, price per head, or value. 
Horses more than doubled in number and nearly tripled in 
value. But it was in mules that Missouri advanced fastest. 
From an average of only a little over 70,000 head in the 
latter '60s, Missouri mules had increased to 230,000 head by 
18C0 and their value had risen from 4^ million dollars to 
15 million dollars. Farm wages showed only small in- 
creases. 

This period from 1860 to 1890, excepting the four years 
of war and the depression of the '70s, was on the whole one 
of great agricultural expansion. 



278 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Period of Depression, 1891-1900 

The period of Missouri agriculture from 1891 to 1900 
was as a whole the worst ever experienced. The depression 
was nation-wide and prices dropped to low levels. The 
average price of com was only 29^ cents and, although the 
average production was slightly higher than in the '80s, the 
average value was one-seventh less. Wheat dropped to an 
average of 62 cents a bushel and the total average value de- 
creased one-third. Agricultural organizations sprang into 
new life and attempted to obtain relief through political 
action. The entire country was prostrate for several years 
from a business standpoint but conditions began to materially 
improve toward the close of the period. It seems that how- 
ever severe is a depression in Missouri and in the United 
States, of one thing the people may be certain— improvement 
and prosperity will again appear. 

Period of Prosperity and Rising Prices, 1001-1920 

This period from 1901 to 1920 has five characteristics, 
— great agricultural prosperity, rising land and produce 
prices, better farming as a result of agricultural education 
and higher priced land, increased production, and decreasing 
rural population. The last has been considered. Never in 
the history of Missouri was there such widespread pros- 
perity. This prosperity, the result of such causes as higher 
prices and greater production, found expression in better 
homes and schools, improved farms, higher standards of 
living, finer live stock, better machinery, good roads, auto- 
mobiles, and easier working conditions. The World War 
and the after-war boom marked the climax to this general 
prosperity. 

The rising land and produce prices were equally marked. 
Between 1900 and 1910 land doubled in value. During the 
war and post-war boom much of the land again doubled and 



A Century of Agriculture 279 

nearly all land increased over 50^. The prices for grain 
and live stock showed steady advances, reaching very high 
figures during the war and post-war period. Between 1901 
and 1910 the average price of corn rose to 46 cents, between 
1911 and 1920 to 85 cents, and during 1917, 1918, and 1919 
it averaged $1.32. Wheat averaged 81 cents between 1901 
and 1910, $1.39 between 1911 and 1920, and $1.87 between 
1916 and 1920. Milk cows doubled in price and for three 
years averaged over $70. a head compared witii $25. in the 
'90s. Other cattle increased in price but not to such an 
extent. Hogs rose from $4.25 a head in the '90s to over 
$6.00 between 1901 and 1910, .to $13.00 between 1911 and 
1920, and to $18.50 in 1918 and 1919. Horses and mules 
more than doubled in value during these twenty years, and 
sheep showed even greater gain in total value. The most 
marked increases in all live stock were during the last ten 
years. To offset part of the profits from the rising prices, 
farm labor also doubled in price and fertilizer costs increased. 
However, the farmer was now working on a rising market 
which meant a larger income. 

The Missouri farmer not only became more prosperous 
and received higher prices for his products during this 
period but he also became a. better farmer. Through the 
agricultural college of the University of Missouri, he and 
his children received instruction in scientific farming, in in- 
creasing the yield of crops, in improving the breeds of stock, 
and in building up the fertility of the soil. The state board 
of agriculture through its bulletins, reports, and lecturers, 
was another educational force of great service. Various agri- 
cultural organizations, including the farm bureaus and the 
county agents, carried this better farming campaign to every 
door. County and state fairs were held. The big agricul- 
tural papers and magazines now reached every rural commu- 
nity and were read by tens of thousands of Missouri farm- 
ers. Even the large city dailies issued a weekly edition de- 



28o History of Missouri and Missouri an s 

voted largely to agricultural news. Agriculture was included 
in the course of study in grade and high schools, and in the 
state teachers' colleges. Everywhere and by every means 
the Missouri farmer received aid, encouragement, and in- 
struction in better farming. The rising value of land also 
made better farming necessary. A poor farmer may make a 
living and even a profit on good land at $50. an acre al- 
though he owes 50% of its value, but it is necessary for one 
to be a good farmer to make a profit on $100. to $200. an 
acre land if he owes 50% of its value. Since about one-half 
of the farms were mortgaged, i. e., the owners owed part of 
the value, this was an important item in the cost of farming. 
As a result of better farming and of higher prices for 
agricultural products, production increased. The corn crop 
rose from an average of 171 million bushels in the '90s to 
200 million bushels between 1901 and 1910. l-^'om 1911 to 
1920 it averaged 177 million bushels, and for five of these 
twenty years the crop rose to over 240 million bushels. 
Wheat showed even greater gain. Between 1901 and 1910 
the wheat crop averaged 30 million bushels compared with 
18 million in the '90s, and between 1911 and 1920 it rose to 
nearly 37 million bushels. For the two years 1918 and 1919 
the wheat crop actually averaged 56^ million bushels. Oats 
also showed a great increase during the last ten years of this 
period. From this table other interesting facts are made 
clear. 

Corn 

(yearly averagks) 





Acreage 
(000 omitted) 


Bushel 

yield 

per acre 


Bushel 

production 

(000 omitted) 


Price 
per 
bushel 


Value on Farm 
,000 omitted) 


1866-70 


2,208 


30 


66,762 


$0,432 


$28,875 


1871-80 


3,482 


29.9 


103,899 


.321 ' 


31,185 


1881-90 


6,260 


27.1 


170,089 


.355 


56,900 


1891-00 


6,168 


27.6 


171,502 


.297 


49,868 



A Century of Agriculture 28 1 



1901-10 


6,841 


29.1 


200,043 


$0.46 


88,059 


1911-20 


6,837 


26. 


177,441 


.854 


146.358 



Wheat 
1866-70 409 14 5,662 $1.08 $ 5,615 



1871-80 


1,375 


12.2 


1 7,079 


.92 7/10 


15,492 


1881-90 


1,903 


11.5 


21,703 


.79 1/10 


16,955 


1891-00 


1,563 


11.5 


18,275 


.61 9/10 


11,267 


1901-10 


2,239 


13.5 


30,373 


.80 9/10 


23,845 


1911-20 


2,574 


14.1 


36,814 


1.39 


53,250 








Summary 







The progrcs.s of Missouri agriculture during the last 
century has been remarkable. Down to 1840 farming was of 
the primitive, self-sustaining type. In fact, even down to 
1850 farming in Missouri was still in its infancy and had 
just begun to grow. In 1850 there were 54,458 farms in 
Missouri, containing 9^ million acres, and of this only 
Ys was improved land. In 1920 there were 263,004 farms, 
containing 34^ million acres, and of this nearly }i was im- 
proved land. In 1850 the value of all farm property in Mis- 
souri, including land, buildings, machinery, and livestock, 
was 87 million dollars and this property averaged only 
$8.95 to the acre. In 1920 this had increased to over 3^ 
billion dollars and averaged $103.27 to the acre. Although 
the average Missouri farm in 1920 was only 132.2 acres 
compared with the average farm of 178.7 acres in 1850, the 
former was valued at $13,654. and the latter was valued at 
$1,599. In 1850 there was $75. worth of machinery and 
implements on the farm compared with $526. worth in 1920. 
The land and buildings on the average Missouri farm in 
1850 were valued at $1,161. compared with $11,645. in 1920. 

Considered from every viewpoint, Missouri agriculture 
has made progress which is truly remarkable. The Missouri 



282 History of Missouri and Missourian^ 

farmer in 1920 was worth more, lived better, farmed better, 
and produced more, than at any previous time in the State's 
history. The standard corps of corn and wheat will doubt- 
less continue to be the foundation of Missouri agriculture 
but these will be supplemented in value with the development 
of the State's great possibilities in the fields of dairying and 
fruit raising. Missouri already stands first in poultry and is 
an important fruit state. Great as has been the progress of 
Missouri agriculture during these one hundred years, a pro- 
gress even greater awaits Missouri agriculture in the future. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Why is agriculture an important industry in Missouri? 

2. What have been the two greatest aids to Missouri agri- 
culture? 

3. What was the economic position of the farm prior to 1S40? 

4. What were the obstacles in pioneer days to the extensive 
development of agriculture? 

5. Describe the transition period between 1840 and 1860. 

6. How do you explain the rapid growth in agriculture from 
1860 to 1890? 

7. When was the greatest agriculture depression? 

8. What were the characteristics of the period of great pros- 
perity from 1901 to 1920? 

^. What educational agencies have improved farming in Mis- 
souri? 

10. What have been some of the results of better farming? 

n. Contrast farming in Missouri in 18.S0 with farming in 1920, 
as to the value of all farm property; the size of the average 
farm; the value of machinery on the farm; and the value of 
the land and buildings on the average farm. 



Chapter IV 

A CENTURY OF MINING IN MISSOURI 

Lead 

Missouri's first industry was mining. Lead has been 
mined in Missouri for 200 years, coal and iron for 100 years, 
and zinc for over 50 years. These four minerals are only a 
part of Missouri's vast mineral products, v^hich include such 
a wide field as clay and sand, rock and marble, nickel and 
copper, cobalt and barytes, and even silver. Missouri is a 
mineral state of first rank and has few rivals in the diversity 
of her mineral products. Missouri's mineral wealth was 
known to some extent a century ago, and in fact Missouri's 
lead was being mined even two centuries ago. The early 
explorers noted the southeast Missouri lead fields and these 
fields soon attracted Missouri's first settlers. Around the 
lead mines settlements grew and commerce developed. Lead 
played an important part in the settlement and development 
of Missouri. Later other Missouri minerals contributed their 
share, until to-day mining ranks as one of the great indus- 
tries of the commonwealth. 

The history of the lead industry in Missouri covers 
more than two centuries. The first important mines were 
opened about 1725 by two Frenchmen, Renault and La Motte, 
who came to find silver and staged to mine lead. The early 
mines were in what are to-day Madison, St. Francois, and 
Washington counties. These counties combined with Frank- 
lin, Howell, Jefferson, and Crawford, still produce nearly 
75% of Missouri's lead. This is called the southeast Mis- 
souri lead field. It lies south and west of St. Louis and is 
80 miles wide and 85 miles long. It is one of the greatest 
lead fields in the world. There were settlements in this dis- 
trict over a quarter of a century before St. Louis was found- 

(283) 



284 History of Missouri and Missourians 

ed in 1764. Lead mining soon became an important industry 
in Missouri after Renault and La Motte opened the south- 
east field. Lead became an article of commerce, could be 
readily sold, and was used to pay debts. In fact it took the 




OLD TIME METHOD OF MINING LEAD AND ZINC ORE WITH A 
HORSE HOISTER 

place of money just as furs did. Lead was mined by miners, 
farmers, and even Indians. It was as necessary as powder 
to the pioneer, trapper, and soldier. Missouri lead was used 
throughout the Mississippi valley, it was shipped to New 
Orleans, and it was used even in Europe. Missouri lead was 
used in the Revolutionary War and Missouri lead helped win 
the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. It added 
wealth to Missouri, helped develop such cities as Ste. Gene- 
vieve, St. Louis, and Potosi, and aided in bringing settlers to 
the pioneer Territory and State. 

The early methods of lead mining and smelting were 
crude. However, the industry was profitable since the ore 



A Century of Mining 285 

was close to the surface, was very rich, and was easily re- 
duced, or smelted. Improvements began with the coming of 
the Americans. IMoses Austin, one of the early American 
settlers and mine owners, introduced a new type of furnace, 
the first of its kind in America, which greatly increased the 
profits of lead mining. He also sunk the first regular min- 
ing shaft in Missouri, This was in 1789. From that year 
lead mining became more and more important. By 1804 ten 
important lead mine districts had been opened in the south- 
east Missouri field and the annual production was ^ million 
pounds (375 tons) valued at $40,000. 

Other lead fields were later opened. In fact, lead has 
been found in nearly every county in central and southern 
Missouri. The central Missouri lead field, lying south and 
west of Jefferson City, was added. This field is 75 by 85 
miles in size. The southwest Missouri lead field in the 
southwestern corner of the States, which was opened about 
1850, has an area of 125 by 75 miles. However, the large 
bulk of IMissouri's lead still comes from the old southeast 
district. 

Although the pioneer lead mining was important, it was 
very small in volume compared with the product of to-day. 
The commercial production of lead in large quantities began 
about 1870. This year marked the beginning of the modern 
period of Missouri lead mining. From 1870 to 1889 th.* 
annual production was 29,000 tons. From 1889 to 1903 it 
rose to 72,0C0 tons, and in 1917, due to the demand and high 
prices of the World War, it increased to 345,000 tons, which 
had a value, before smelting, of $34,000,000. More lead ore 
was produced in Missouri during 1916, 1917, and 1918 than 
was produced in the first 169 years of lead min'ng in Mis- 
souri (1720-1889), and its value during the three years was 
one-third more than its total value during the 169 years. 
The total value down to 1889 was $60,000,000. and down to 
1903 it was $111,000,000. The normal annual production is 



286 History of Missouri and Missourians 

about 250,000 ions, valued at about $10,000,000. The south- 
east and central districts produce nearly 90% of the lead 
mined in Missouri. The total investment of capital in the 
lead industry in Missouri is very large. The methods of 
mining and smelting are as different from those of pioneer 
days as is the total production. One of the Missouri lead 
companies, at Flat River and P.onne Terre in St. Francois 
county, is said to be the largest lead-ore producing company 
in the world. Millions of dollars are now invested in deep 
sunken shafts, modern equipment and machinery, huge 
smelters and railroads. Missouri to-day, as she has for years, 
stands first in lead, producing nearly one-third of the lead ore 
mined in the United States. 

Zinc 

Of Missouri's three most important metals — lead, zinc, 
and iron — zinc was the last to be produced. Although lead 
was the first ore mined in Missouri and still ranks first in 
value, zinc to-day is a good second. The ores of lead and 
zinc are usually found together but the southeast Missouri 
lead field does not produce zinc in commercial quantities. 
The great zinc district of the United States is the famous 
Joplin zinc belt which includes a number of counties in 
southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Okla- 
homa. The richest part of this district is in Missouri, espe- 
cially in Jasper, Newton, and Lawrence counties. Twenty 
years ago Missouri alone furnished 80% of the zinc pro- 
duced in the United States, but owing to the opening of new 
fields in other states, Missouri now produces from 20% to 
25%. However, Missouri still ranks first in zinc. 

The story of zinc mining in Missouri is as interesting as 
the story of gold mining in California. The first zinc smel- 
ter was erected at Potosi in 1867 but it was not until the 
"discovery" of zinc in southwest Missouri about 1870 that 
Missouri zinc became important and drew thousands of per- 



A Century of Mining 287 

sons from over the nation. The strange part of tlie story of 
Missouri zinc Hes in the fact that for years zinc ore had 
been mined in the lead mines of southwest Missouri and had 
been thrown awa}-. The miners, who had mined lead there 
since 1850, called the zinc ore "jack" and "black jack." It 
greatly bothered them in separating the lead. Around these 
lead mines large piles of this "black jack" were heaped, 
nobody dreaming that more wealth lay in the cast-off heaps 
than in the lead ore which had been obtained. About 1866 
a mining expert for one of the lead companies became in- 
terested in this "black jack." After several years of work 
and experimenting he succeeded in properly smelting or sep- 
arating it and obtained zinc. The news of the rich zinc 
field in Missouri was soon known and a "zinc rush" began 
pouring in that resembled a western "gold rush." The 
worthless "black jack" now became immensely valuable and 
besides there remained the almost inexhaustible zinc fields 
w^hich had not been touched. By 1873, the output of Mis- 
souri zinc ore was 960 tons valued at $8,640. Both the 
output and the value rose steadily. In 1916, owing to the 
demands of war and high prices, Missouri produced 304,070 
tons of zinc ore, which had a value of $24,228,596. The 
normal production is about 250,030 tons and the normal an- 
nual value is about $10,000,000. Just as lead has influenced 
the history of Missourians in southeast Missouri, so has zin*- 
in southwest Missouri. It has peopled counties, built cities. 
stimulated commerce, and greatly increased Missouri's wealth. 
Missouri is indeed fortunate in possessing what is perhaps 
the richest zinc field in the world. 

Iron 

Missouri was the first state west of Ohio to produce 
and smelt iron ore. Missouri is rich in iron ores, and the 
discovery of iron deposits by the pioneers over a century 
ago was an important factor in the development of the 



288 History of Missouri and Missourians 

southern part of the State. There is scarcely a county in 
the Ozark region which does not contain iron ore. Nearly 
half of the counties of the State have important iron ore 
deposits. Much of this ore is of excellent quality and com- 
pares favorably with that used in other states. 

Iron was the second metal mined in Missouri. In 1815 
the first iron furnace was erected in the State near Ironton. 
Here the ore near Pilot Knob was used. The Pilot Knob 
ore, which is of fine quality, was first mined in 1825. 
The great iron deposits of Iron Mountain were mined in 
1844 and for the next third of a century produced nearly 
200,000 tons of pig iron. Down to 1887 the iron production 
of Missouri gradually increased until in that year Missouri 
produced 430,0C0 tons of iron ore. From 1887 to 1900 the 
production decreased, but in 1900 the iron industry again 
revived. Since 1900 the iron industry has grown as new de- 
posits were found and as prices rose, and has fallen as old 
deposits proved unprofitable and as prices fell. Down to 
1903, which covers the period of greatest growth and de- 
velopment, Missouri had produced between eight and nine 
million tons of ore, valued at $35,000,000. Missouri's largest 
output was previous to the decline in production at the Iron 
Mountain and Pilot Knob mines. In 1918 the iron produc- 
tion of Missouri was 71,968 long tons with a mine worth of 
$270,337, but the iron ore smelted in Missouri in 1918 was 
valued at $3,082,136. Although compared with the great iron 
year of 1887 the present production of iron is small, this 
does not indicate that the iron industry in Missouri will con- 
tinue to decline. In fact, it is not improbable that Missouri 
will again regain her position as an important producer of 
iron ore and it is almost certain that she will become an im- 
portant iron smelting state. Missouri has vast iron deposits 
which some day will be worked. Missouri has vast coal 
deposits and lies next to the Illinois coal beds. Moreover, if 
the Mississippi river is ever utilized, as it could be with 



A Century of Mining 289 

proper channel development, to bring the rich iron ores from 
Minnesota, Missouri will become one of the centers of the 
iron industry of the United States. The day may be not 
far distant when Missouri will claim high rank as an iron 
state just as she does as a lead and zinc state. 

Barytes, Copper, Nickel, and Silver 

Alissouri produces a large variety of metals, all of which 
are important but many of which are not widely kfiown to 
the public. The deposits of nickel, which is one of the iron 
group of metals, in Missouri are the largest in the United 
States. These deposits are principally in Madison county. 
Production of Missouri nickel began about 1850 and by 1898 
had risen to 2,000 tons a year. Mine La Motte, near Fred- 
ericktown, has produced more nickel and cobalt than all the 
other states in the United States. No nickel ore has been 
mined in Missouri in recent years, yet in 1915 Missouri pro- 
duced 822 tons of nickel as a by-product in refining copper. 

Copper is also produced in Missouri. The richest field 
is in Madison county. In 1918 Missouri produced 577,665 
pounds of copper, valued at $142,683. Silver is produced in 
Missouri as a by-product of lead mining. In 1916 Missouri 
produced 129,450 ounces of silver valued at $85,178. Down 
to 1915 Missouri ranked first in the production of barytes, 
and now ranks second. Barytes are used in the manufacture 
of paints. The baryte production of Missouri has increased 
rapidly. In 1914 Missouri produced three-fifths of the 
barytes in the United States. In 1917 the production rose to 
59,046 tons valued at $391,363. The principal field is in 
W^ashington county. Missouri also ranks high in the pro- 
duction of tripoli, a mineral found in southwest Missouri 
which is used as a polishing power. Many other minerals 
and metals might be mentioned but these are sufficient to 
indicate the remarkable wealth of Missouri in this field. 



290 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Coal 

Missouri is one of the greatest coal states in the country. 
Her coal fields underlie 24,000 square miles or over one- 
third of the State. Half of Missouri's counties have coal. 
Missouri's coal supply, still unmined, is nearly 84 billion tons,, 
or enough to last 17,000 years at the present rate of produc- 
tion. . Even if Missouri produced all the coal it uses, in- 
stead of. only 40% as at present, Missouri has enough coal 
to last 5,£00 years. However, it is probable that Missouri 
will not only produce all the coal used in the State but 
eventually will supply coal in large quantities to other states,, 
unless some cheaper fuel or source of heat and energy is dis- 
covered. Certainly Missouri's coal is one of her greatest 
naiural assets and will continue to become more and more 
important as a source of wealth. 

Although the presence of coal in Missouri was known 
as early as 1804, possibly earlier, there was little develop- 
ment for decades. Even as late as 1840 Missouri produced 
annually only about 10,000 tons. By 1850 this had increased 
to 100,000 tons and in 1876 to 1,008,000 tons. In 1885 
the production reached 3,080,000 tons and in 1903 it rose 
to 4,238,586. During the World War production was 
again stimulated, owing to demand and prices, and during 
each of the years 1917, 1918, and 1919, the production passed 
the 5 million ton mark. From 1840 to 1919 Missouri pro- 
duced a total of 148,000,000 tons, valued wholesale at 
$272,000,000. The average annual production is between 4 
and 5 million tons and the average value is about $10,000,000. 
Missouri produces bituminous and cannel coal. The bitumi- 
nous coal, which is the more important, lies in six large pro- 
ducing fields: (1) the Bevier field occupying part of Boone, 
Chariton, Howard, Macon, and Randolph; (2) the Lexington 
field in Clay, Lafayette, and Ray; (3) the Southwestern 
field in Barton, Bates, Henry, and adjacent counties; (4) 



A Century of Mining 291 

the Novinger field in Adair; (5) the Marcehne field in 
Linn; and (6) the Mendota field in northwestern Adair, 
Putnam, and Schuyler. The cannel coal, which is deposited 
in pockets of limited area, is found in thirty- five counties. 
The principal cannel coal counties lie to the south and west 
of the main coal fields. These counties are Bates, Cole, 
Cooper, Henry, Miller, and Morgan. The cannel coal beds 
are remarkable for their depth or thickness, ranging from 
10 to 75 feet. One cannel coal deposit in Missouri is 90 
feet thick. In 1919 the six largest coal producing counties 
were, in the order named, Lafayette, Barton, Adair, Macon, 
Randolph, and Ray. Other producing counties of size were 
Henry, Linn, Vernon, and Bates. The first six counties pro- 
duced from 80% to 90% of Missouri's total coal production. 

- Stone and Clay Products 

Although the value of the annual production of Missouri 
lead, zinc, and coal is high, averaging about $10,000,000. for 
€ach, still the value of Missouri's stone and clay products 
€ach year is higher than any one. of these three in normal 
peace years. Missouri is again fortunate in her almost un- 
limited wealth of stone and clays, as well as gravel and sand. 
The value of Missouri's gravel and sand alone in 1916 was 
nearly one million dollars and her stone production that year 
was worth over one and a quarter milion dollars. In 1914 
the value of Missouri's building stone, lime (made from 
lime rock), clay products, and Portland cement (made from 
limestone and shales), was $13,541,182. Of this amount the 
clay products, as clay fire brick, common brick, and sev/er 
pipe, totaled over six million dollars, and the Portland cement 
totaled four and one-half million dollars. So, the importance 
of Missouri's stone and clay products is evident. 

Missouri has almost every kind of building stone, rang- 
ing from common limestone rock and sandstone to granite 
and finest marble. This natural wealth has been a great 



292 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



benefit to the State in furnishing building material for her 
own citizens and for the citizens of other states. Missouri 
ranks second in the Union in the production of limestone 
for building. Missouri's present state capitol building i.-> 
built of Carthage stone, which is one of the most beautiful 
of fine building materials. 

Missouri also ranks high as a producer of lime, which 
is made from lime rock. Most sections of the State abound 
in lime rock. The value of Missouri's lime production in 
1917 was nearly one and a half million dollars. In the pro- 
duction of Portland cement, now so widely used in the erec- 
tion of buildings, Missouri is one of the foremost states. 
Missouri has five large cement plants located in St. Louis, 
Jackson, Ralls, and Cape Girardeau counties. In 1916 the 
value of Missouri's Portland cement was over seven million 
dollars. 

In valuable clays Missouri is equally fortunate. From 
her many kinds of clays are made such a variety of products 
as fire brick, common brick, sewer pipe, tile, and pottery. 
Large clay product factories are located in Audrain, Buch- 
anan, St. Louis, Jackson, Henry, and other counties. The 
importance of this industry is growing faster than almost 
any other of the mineral industries of the State excepting 
perhaps that of manufacturing cement. In 1916 Missouri's 
clay products had a value of nearly seven and three-fourths 
million dollars. In the production of plate-glass Missouri i.<J 
also advancing. Her excellent quality sands, from which 
glass is made, are found largely in Jefferson, St. Charles, 
and Franklin counties. 

From this brief survey the increasing importance of 
Missouri's mineral wealth is apparent. Only a part of Mis- 
souri's minerals have been here set forth. For example, 
Missouri is one of the foremost states in mineral springs 
possessing health-giving qualities. Some of these are already 
widely known over the nation as those at Excelsior Springs 



A Century of Mining 



293 



in Clay county. Although mining and salt-making were Mis- 
souri's first industries, the mineral industries of Missouri are 
still among the foremost in the State. The records show that 
although these industries have played an important part in 
the history of Missouri, they promise to play a part equally 
as important, perhaps more important, in the future. To 
aid the mining and mineral industry of Missouri, the State 
has established a state geological survey and a school of 
mines and metallurgy at Rolla, Missouri. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Justify the statement, "Missouri is a mineral state of first 
rank." 

2. Name the three most important metals found in Missouri 
and locate the field where each is mined. 

3. What was the importance of lead mining in pioneer days." 

4. Why did lead mining not become a profitable commercial 
industry on a large scale before 1870? 

5. The annual lead production of Missouri is what part of tlu' 
total production of the United States? 

6. Missouri produces what per cent of the zinc of the United 
States and this places her in what rank? 

7. What was the cause of the "zinc rush" to Missouri? 

8. How have the great zinc fields influenced the hstory of 
southwest Missouri? 

9. What is the extent of the iron ore deposits in Missouri? 

10. When and where was iron ore first mined? 

11. What are the possibilities of Missouri becoming one of tho 
centers of the iron industry? 

12. What are some of the metals mined in Missouri which arc- 
not widely known to the public? 

13. How extensive are the coal fields of Missouri? 

14. Compare the output of coal in 1840 with that of 1919. 

15. Describe the two kinds of coal beds found in this state. 

16. What is the value of Missouri's clay and stone products? 

17. How has this natural resource benefited the State? 



Chapter V. 

A CENTURY OF TRANSPORTATION 

One of the most important factors in the progress of 
a state or nation is transportation. Upon transportation 
facilities depend commerce and wealth, the comforts and 
necessities of life, and even the widespread intelligence of 
the people. In fact, the development of a people depends more 
largely on their transportation facilities than on any other 
factor excepting character and natural resources. This is 
especially true in a large country like the United States. 
Without adequate transportation, our cities would decline, 
factories close, mines stop producing, and farms become un- 
profitable as money making concerns. Even worse than 
these results, would be the calamity of lessened intercourse 
between our people, the decline in general information, and 
even the probability of overproduction of food in one section 
and of famine in another section. To-day, the United States 
is dependent on its transportation industry. Travel, freight, 
and mail are necessary in a modern state. These depend on 
transportation. 

The Steamboat 

Transportation of persons and goods has until recently 
been confined to the water and the land. In pioneer Missouri 
the land and water transportation facilities were primitive. 
These have already been described as regards the movement 
of passengers and freight both in Missouri and to and from 
Missouri. The two-wheeled "barefooted" cart of the French- 
man, the four-wheeled wagon and prairie schooner, and the 
pack train, were the reliance on land of the Missouri pioneer 
settler and the Missouri western trader. The various kinds 

(294) 



A Century of Tkanspoktation 



295 



of boats and bargees, all propelled by hand, were the reliance 
on water until the coming of the steamboat. 

The steamboat revolutionized water transportation. The 
first one, the "Zel)ulon M. Pike", landed at St. Louis in 
1817. In ISK' i'lc "Tinlrpcndence" first navigated the Mis- 




EAKLY STEAMBUAT '1 KA.\bl'i>KTAl lON OS THE AiliiULlU KiVii-R 

souri river from St. Louis to Franklin and Chariton and 
made the round trip in twenty-one days. Flat boats were 
still used after this for carrying grain, ores, and bulky arti- 
cles, but the steamboat gradually displaced the other river 
crafts. 

The steamboat had a wonderful influence on the de- 
velopment of Missouri. The river towns and counties in- 
creased rapidly in wealth and population. The Mississippi 
and the Missouri river became great arteries of commerce. 
From 1830 to 1860 the traffic grew larger and larger. The 
climax of this traffic was reached between 1850 and 1860 
owing to the large emigration westward. By 1850 the steam- 
boat annual arrivals at St. Louis totaled 2,899. Regulai 
schedules were observed by the steamboats. The coming of 



296 History of Missouri and Missourians • 

the railroads in the '50s and '60s brought competition which 
gradually ruined the river traffic. In the '70s it had ceased 
to be very important and in the '80fe it had practically ceased 
to exist as a transportation factor. 

However, it managed to survive and in 1912 a revival 
of interest in river transportation began in Kansas City and 
St. Louis. Public spirited citizens in these cities gave time 
and money to arouse the co-operation of the public. Con- 
gress was appealed to and the national government promised 
to spend money to improve the channel of the Mississippi 
and the Missouri. If the channels are made permanent, and 
they can be if adequate improvements are made, Missouri 
will again have the benefits of the low freight rates obtain- 
able through river transportation. Already barge lines are 
operating at a profit to owners and customers between St. 
Louis and New Orleans, and some headway has been made 
in this direction between Kansas City and St. Louis. River 
traffic has a very important place in Missouri's freight trans- 
portation system to-day ii only our people will awaken to its 
advantages. Missouri has two great rivers which, if prop- 
erly controlled, can be made to serve man. 

Although river transportation performed a great service 
to Missouri, it had many defects. It could serve only d 
limited area of the State. Again, it was operative only dur- 
ing the open seasons when the rivers were clear of ice. 
Finally, it was very hazardous both for the owners and th*; 
patrons. The history of the steamboat traffic on the Mis- 
souri is one filled with wrecks due to snags, sandbars, and 
explosions. The loss in life and property was great. Some 
of these defects are inherent, but others, such as snags, sand- 
bars, and changing channels, can be removed. 

The Railroad 

Although the steamboat for years solved the problem 
of water transportation, it was soon recognized that little 



A Century of Transportation 297 

progress was being made in solving the problem of land 
transportation. The forest and prairie trails gave place to 
interior roads and by 1819 Missouri had fifteen mail routes. 
The American brought the post-roads and a regular mail 
service. But these roads were never satisfactory and in cer- 
tain seasons were almost impassable. This condition was a 
hardship to the pioneer settler and a restriction on the de- 
velopment of the State. 

During the thirties and forties hundreds of railroads 
were chartered over the Nation. The states gave them credit 
and financial aid. Most of them failed and left the states 
to pay very large debts. Missouri needed and wanted rail- 
roads, but she was conservative and at first refused to offer 
her credit and money to have them built. In 1836 a rail- 
road convention was held in St. Louis. Several lines or 
routes were endorsed. A number of railroads were granted 
charters by the Legislature but no money was given. None 
of these railroads was built. Ten years passed and the peo- 
ple kept demanding railroads. Another railroad convention, 
a larger and more important one than before, was held in St. 
Louis in 1849. The purpose was to decide on a route or 
routes to the Pacific. Of course, Missouri hoped that such 
a line would cross Missouri. Senator Benton had hereto- 
fore opposed government aid for railroads, and no transcon- 
tinental road could be built without such aid. However, at 
this convention Benton made a great speech in favor of 
such a i^oad in which, pointing to the west, he said : "There 
lies the East, there lies the road to India". This is the 
most quoted speech of Benton's. 

Two years before (1847) Missouri had chartered the 
Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. In 1849 the Pacific rail- 
road and in 1851 the North Missouri, now the Wabash, were 
chartered. Others followed fast for the people were demand- 
ing railroads. In 1849 the State was out of debt and pros- 
perous. In 1851 the State granted financial aid to help build 



298 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



railroads and the National Government gave them land. 
Once begun there was no stopping. The roads were finally 
built, although slowly. When settlement was made in the 
'60s it was found that the State of Missouri had lost 
nearly $25,000,000. through financial aid or credit. The 
first railroad actualh- bec^un was the Pacific, later the Mis- 




FJRST LO( 
THE PAC 



RUN W 



•". RIVER, ON 
; RSON CITY 



souri raoific. ^ as the Hannibal 

and St. Josepl: 

The first locomotive west of the Mississippi was run 
on the Pacific railroad out of St. Louis in 1852. At that 
time Missouri had only five miles of railroad. Progress 
in railroad building was slow since the cost of construction 
proved to be much higher than had been estimated. The 
State lent her credit in large amounts. Congress made 
liberal grants of public land to the roads. Despite these aids 
Missouri had only 817 miles of railroad by 1860. The 
Pacific and the Hannibal and St. Joseph road had made 
great progress, the latter being the first to cross the State. 
By 1860 all the roads except the Hannibal and St. Joseph 
railroad had defaulted payment on their bonds. The 
Civil War made matters worse. Construction practically 



A Century of Transportation 



299 



stopped and property, equipment, and bridges were destroyed 
along many lines. However, by 1865 trains were running 
from Kansas City to St. Louis over the Pacific and from 
St. Joseph to Hannibal over the Hannibal and St. Joseph. 
Between 1866 and 1868 the State foreclosed her mortgages 
and sold the roads. Construction now began in earnest and 
by 1870 Missouri had 2,000 miles of railroad. St. Louis had 
become an important railroad center with rail connection with 
the north, east, south, and west. In 1869 the Burlington 
bridge across the Missouri river, the first to span that riv^r, 
was completed at Kansas City, in 1871 the Wabash bridge at 
St. Charles was completed, and in 1874 the famous Eads 
bridge across the Mississippi river at St. Louis was finished. 
Kansas City now became an important rail center. 

From 1870 to 1880 the rail mileage nearly doubled and 
it continued to increase rapidly down to 1900. To-day Mis- 
souri has over 8,500 miles of railroad and ranks eighth in 
this respect in the United States. In 1918 every Missouri 
county except three had at least one railroad. The following 
table shows the railroad mileage in Missouri for different 
periods : 

18.S2 5 miles 1880 3,965 

1854 38 " 1890 6,142 

1855 139 " 1900 6.887 

1860 817 " 1904 7,000 

1870 2,000 " 1914 8,138 

1918 8,529 

The two greatest rail centers in Missouri are St. Louis 
and Kansas City. Each has a fine union station. Twenty- 
six railroads enter the union station in St. Louis and over 
one-half as many enter the Kansas City union station. The 
remarkable transportation facilities afforded these two cities 
have been the principal cause of their commanding position 
in commerce and population. This is also true of the other 
large cities in Missouri. In fact, although Missouri lost 



^oo History of Missouri and Missourians 

much money by lending her credit in the building of rail- 
roads, she was more than repaid in the development of the 
State through the final construction of these roads. Not so 
fortunate, however, were the many counties in Missouri 
which issued bonds in the '60s and 70s for constructing 
railroads, many of which were never built. 

The story of the railroads would not be complete with- 
out a statement regarding their regulation by the State. In 
the early days of the railroads they adopted practices which 
helped some shippers and ruined others. They did this by 
means of different rates and by rebates. Regulation by law 
was begun in Missouri in the '80s to stop these practices. 
Since the railroads had been in the wrong in the past, the 
people after correcting the abuses went farther and in 1905 
they lowered the rates to a point which prevented many of 
the roads from earning an income and some from paying ex- 
penses. The result was that a number of important roads 
were forced into bankruptcy, their equipment was impaired, 
and their service became less efficient. Other states also 
did this and the railroad facilities of the nation were 
impaired. Missouri realized this and was one of the few 
states to grant an increase in rates. The increase did not 
come in time, however, to save some of the roads from 
bankruptcy. In 1913 the Public Service Commission law of 
Missoui-i was passed, which placed the railroads largely un- 
der the general regulation of an expert public service com- 
mission appointed by the governor of Missouri. Despite this 
change, which was for the better compared with the old sys- 
tem, the railroads continued to deteriorate largely through 
lack of adequate rates. After the United States entered the 
World War the National Government took control of the 
railroads in 1917. After the return to private ownership the 
powers of the National Government continued to increase 
as regards regulation. To-day the rates for freight and pas- 



A Century of Transportation 301 

senger traffic are practically set by the Interstate Coniiiierce 
Commission both as regards interstate and intrastate business. 

Street and Road Transportation 

The street railway was introducetl in Kansas City 
and St. Louis by 1875 and later in other Missouri cities. 
It was at first another form of evolution of the old stage 
coach. The first cars were built with stage coach bodies, 
mounted on flanged wheels, running on flat iron rails, with 
horses as motive power. In the latter '70s the horses were 
discarded and the cars were pulled by a cable. About 1895 
this gave place to electricity. Accompanying this progress 
were improvements in the cars until to-day one may ride 
with convenience in all seasons from his suburban home to 
his place of work in the city. 

Another form of rail transportation similar to the street 
railway is the interurban line, also run by electricity. Mis- 
souri has a number of these lines close to the large citiej> 
and in southwest Missouri, but the great development in this 
field over the State at large is still in the future. As Mis- 
souri increases in population interurban lines will become 
necessary unless the automobile traffic develops so as to be 
dependable in all seasons. 

During the last ten years much progress has been made 
in arousing interest in public good road building. However, 
Missouri has not until recently begun to make the progress 
necessary to furnish good roads to her people throughout the 
year. In 1920 the people voted to issue $60,000,000 of road 
bonds. In 1921 the Legislature passed a large number of 
laws relating to the expenditure of this money for the build- 
ing of good roads. A state highway commision of four men 
was created which body has general supervision over the 
construction of roads built with State money. The Federal 
Government is also making road approj^riations to supple- 
ment the State monev. Missouri in 1920-1921 took the first 



302 History of Missouri and Missourians 

step forward in planning the construction of durable public 
roads. 

Perhaps one of the most important causes of the 
awakened interest in good roads is the automobile. The 
automobile traffic in Missouri for pleasure and business is 
tremendous. This traffic to be efficient demands good 
roads. The number of licensed cars in Missouri is increas- 
ing each year. The new $60,000,000 road bond issued will 
probably be paid largely, perhaps entirely, from the license 
fees paid by automobile owners. The next step in trans- 
portation is to improve the facilities already provided by man 
and nature. The aeroplane will also develop as a swift 
means of locomotion, but the main reliance of Missouri and 
Missourians for at least the immediate future is to build on 
the firm foundations of the past. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What influence had the steamboat on the development of 

Missouri? 

2. What caused river traffic to decline? 

3. What is necessary to revive river traffic and why is water 

transportation important? 

4. Name the first two cross-state railroads in Missouri. 

5. How did the State encourage the building of railroads? 

6. Since what date has there been the greatest increase in rail- 

road mileage? 

7. What has been the attitude of the State in railroad regula- 

tion? 

8. What was the recent legislation in regard to good road 

building? 



Chapter VI 

A CENTURY OF CITY BUILDING 

During the last fifty years tiiere has been in all countries 
a remarkable growth in the number and in the population of 
cities. The main causes of this growth have been greater 
transportation facilities by land and water and the buiUlng 
of modern factories. The transportation facilities have made 
the cities great trading centers, and those places whicli were 
located on the important trade routes grew fastest. The 
modern factories emplo}ing thousands of men and producing 
millions of dollars worth of manufactured goods added popu- 
lation and wealth to the cities, and those places again grew 
fastest which had the best transportation means to distribute 
their goods, and which were close to the areas producing the 
raw materials used in the factories. So, fundamentally, large 
cities are founded on trade, transportation, and factories, i. 
•e., on economic factors. This is true of four of Missouri's 
five largest cities, St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joseph, and 
Springfield — each having a population over 25,000; the fifth 
city, Joplin, has been founded largely on the mining industry, 
but this is not an exception, since modern min'ng is not un- 
like modern manufacturing. Economic factors have been 
very important in building nearly all of Missouri's 63 cities 
having a population over 2,500. The exceptions are those 
cities which have no factories but which have good railroads 
and cities with colleges and state institutions. A Cf^llege 
town is an educational- factory center and must have trans- 
portation facilities. As a conclusion, it is clear that those 
cities will grow fastest which are on trade routes, which have 
the best transportation facilities, or which through their loca- 
tion are best adapted to manufacture goods or produce 
mineral products at the lowest cost. 

(303) 



304 History of Missouri and Missouri ans 

Missouri Cities 

Alissouri has 63 cities, each of 2,500 inhabitants 
or more. These 63 cities have a population of 1,586,903, 
or 46.6% of Missouri's total population. This shows that 
cities are becoming important in Missouri. But most of 
these cities are small and there are only five which have 
over 25,000 inhabitants. Still, these five cities — St. Louis, 
Kansas City, St. Joseph, Springfield, and Joplin — have 79% 
of the population in all 63 cities. Moreover, there are only 
eight cities in Missouri having a population between 10,000 
and 25,000 — Cape Girardeau, Carthage, Columbia, Hannibal, 
Independence, Jefferson City, Moberly, and Sedalia. This 
shows that although Missouri has a large urban population 
nearly equal to its rural population, four-fifths of this city 
population is in five cities and 85% is in thirteen cities. 
With very few exceptions it is the large cities which have 
grown fastest. This has been true in Missouri since 1840, 
although some of the 63 cities existed in 1840 and nearly all 
of them were in existence by 1870, fifty years ago. In other 
words nearly all of the 63 cities have had time to grow, but 
to-day only five have become big cities and only thirteen 
have a population over 10,000. 

St. Louis has been Missouri's largest cit}- for over a 
century. From 1820 to 1830 it grew very slowly, increasing 
from 4,598 to 5,852. It was not incorporated until 1823. 
By 1840 it had grown to 16,469. It was still not a large 
city but its position, its trade, and above all its increasing 
steamboat traffic promised to make it a great city. By 
1850 St. Louis had increased to 77,860 and now ranked 
eighth among American cities. Its rapid growth continued 
and by 1860 it had a population of 160,773. Much of this 
growth was due to the foreign immigration of the Germans 
and the Irish. Despite the Civil War it increased to 310,864, 
by 1870. The steamboat transportation had now declined 



A Ckntuky of City Huiloing 



305 



and although St. Louis had obtained the first railroads the 
new transportation did not at first offset the loss of the old. 
By 1880 St. Louis had increased to only 350,518, but in 1890 
it had again grown fast and had a population of 451,770. It 
had now become a great railroad center. Since that time 
the increase has been slow but steady. To-day St. Louis has 
a population of 772,897 and ranks sixth in the United States. 

The first great business which St. Louis developed was 
the fur trade. Only five years after it had been founded 
St. Louis's fur trade was $80,000. a year. In 1820 it was 
$2,500,000. a year. Finally, it passed the billion-dollar mark. 
The second great asset of St. Louis was the steamboat, 
which brought trade from all directions. When the railroad 
displaced the steamboat, St. Louis soon became a great rail- 
road center with lines extending everywhere. The third im- 
portant asset was the coming of the factory. This developed 
an industrial district which is one of the largest in area in 
the United States. The fourth economic asset of St. Louis 
has been her great financial resources. St. Louis is wealthy 
and its great banking houses not only finance St. Louis 
business but the business of other cities and states. St. Louis 
is the only city in the United States with a Federal Reserve 
bank and a Federal Farm Loan bank. Of course, none of 
these could have made a great city had it not been for the 
remarkable geographical location of St. Louis, its nearness 
to raw materials, its wonderfully rich trade territory extend- 
ing in all directions, and its enterprising citizens. 

St. Louis has lived up to its position and opportunity 
as a great city. Its schools, churches, streets, parks, mod- 
ern conveniences, homes, business houses, museums, botani- 
cal gardens, theatres, hotels, and public buildings are equal 
to those of other modern progressive cities. St. Louis 
is known over the United States for being a city of 
homes, for having one of the largest union railroad stations. 



3o6 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



for having one of the finest botanical gardens in the world, 
for having large and beautiful parks, and for having suc- 
cessfully given the largest and best World's Fair, the Louisi- 
ana Purchase Exposition of 1904, ever held. It is also 
known for the his?h standard and excellence of its schools. 




THE GREAT FIRE, ST. LOUIS, MAY 17, 1849 
(Courtesy Mo. Hist. Society^ 

St. Louis is al.so a music center. But among those things 
which have cast great credit on this city has been the com- 
parative absence of the sordid slums usually found in large 
cities. St. Louis is known not as a city of slums but as z 
city of homes, churches, and schools. 

Since 1870 Kansas City has been the second largest city 
in Missouri and to-day ranks 19th in the United States. It 
entered the small city class in 1860 with a population of 
4,418. In 1920 it had grown to 324,410. These sixty years 
of great growth are very similar to the sixty years of growth 
of St. Louis from 1820 to 18S0. In 1820 St. Louis entered 
the small city class with a population of 4,598 and in 1880 
it had 350,519. Another similarity between St. Louis and 
Kansas City lies in both getting their start as trading centers. 



A Cr.NTURY OF City Building -jo? 

then as steamboat ports, and later as railroad and factory 
centers. Kach city is located almost on the boundary line of 
Missouri, and hence each city derives much of its trade 
from other states. Kach has a neighboring city of nearly 
the same name in another state. St. Louis, Mo., has East 
St. Louis, in Illinois; Kansas City, Mo., has Kansas City, 
Kansas. Each has a Federal Reserve Bank. Both Mis- 
souri cities have lived up to their opportunities and both 
have successfully met and solved many of their great prob- 
lems. St. Louis has met a great fire (1849), a cyclone, loss 
of steamboat transportation in the '70s, and the rise of a 
rival in Chicago. Kansas City has met the problem of get- 
ting railroads in the '60s, of getting back its population 
after the Civil War, of successfully out distancing its early 
rival, Leavenworth, Kansas, of making beautiful streets, 
boulevards, and parks out of steep hills and muddy gulleys, 
and of bravely going through and of finally conquering one 
of the worst real estate depressions (1887-1891) a city could 
possibly have. Kansas City is truly either a city of miracles 
or a city of remarkable courage and faith. 

Unlike the founding of St. Louis, the early beginning of 
Kansas City did not show the careful planning of any man 
or the steady growth following the founding. Although ex- 
plorers early visited the present site of Kansas City and 
although one or two French traders had settled at the mouth 
of the Kaw, or Kansas river, about 1800, the beginning of 
Kansas City is found in 1821 when Francois Chouteau, a 
Frenchman, established a trading post on the south bank of 
the Missouri river. The little post of 31 persons did a con- 
siderable business. Later it became known as Westport 
Landing. Westport itself was an inland town three miles 
south, and is now part of Kansas City. From Westport 
Landing and Westport grew Kansas City. Westport was 
laid off in 1833 by J. C. McCoy. Kansas City was first 
called "the town of Kansas" in 1847, in 1854 "the City of 



3o8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Kansas", and in 1889 "Kansas City". The first agency to 
build up the town was the Santa Fe trade. The first large 
cargo from New Mexico reached Kansas City in 1845. By 
1850 Kansas City was the exclusive eastern terminus of the 
freighting business and 600 wagons left annually for Santa 
Fe. Being the closest Missouri river point to Santa Fe, 
Kansas City soon crowded out rivals for the great trade of 
the Southwest. By 1860 the freight shipped from Kansas 
City was 16,500,000 pounds, employing 7,084 men, 6,147 
mules, 27,920 yoke of oxen, and 3,033 wagons. As early as 
1853 Missouri's great statesman, Thomas H. Benton, on a 
visit to Kansas City predicted that it would become a great 
commercial and manufacturing city. It grew rapidly in the 
latter '50s owing to the great steamboat traffic, the western 
freighting business, and the immigration of settlers to Kan- 
sas territory. Its small population of 478 in 1855 increased 
to 4,418 by 1860. During the war its population declined to 
3,500 and its Santa Fe trade went to Leavenworth. In the 
latter '60s it obtained several important railroads, notably the 
Missouri Pacific running eastward and the Union Pacific 
westward, and by securing a bridge across the Missouri 
river, the first ever built, it obtained access to the north Mis- 
souri country through the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. 
Its destiny was now secure. By 1870 it had seven railroads 
and a population of 32,360. Leavenworth was no longer a 
real rival. Since then its remarkable growth is seen in these 
figures: 1880, 55,785; 1890, 132,716; 1900, 163,752; 1910, 
248,381 ; 1920, 324,410. 

To-day Kansas City is a modern city in every sense of 
that term. It is a great railroad and factory center. Its 
stockyards and packing houses in Kansas City, Kansas, are 
known over the nation. It has beautified its environment 
with parks and boulevards. Kansas City is known as one 
of the most beautiful park cities in the United States. It 
has no slums. It has one of the best and most beautiful 



A Century of City Building 



309 




3IO 



History of Missouri and Missouri ans 



residence districts in the country. Its schools and churches 
are unsurpassed. Out of its high hills and cliffs it has made 
a fairy playground of unsurpassed scenic beauty for its 
citizens. Its union station, recently built, is widely known 
and its memorial building now under construction will be a 
monument both to Kansas City's heroes and to Kansas City's 
progressive citizens. It has well lived up to its motto: "Make 
Kansas City a good place to live in." 

The building of St. Joseph, Missouri's third largest city, 
was similar to the founding of Kansas City. Both began as 
trading posts, founded by Frenchmen. Both became freight- 
ing centers and outfitting centers for the trade westward. 
Both were the eastern termini of western trades and trails. 
Both became great river ports and later railroad centers. 
Both obtained great factories and packing houses. Both 
became progressive cities. Although St. Joseph was younger 
it grew faster at first, but after 1870 Kansas City took the 
lead. Like Kansas City and St. Louis, the city of St. 
Joseph is located close to the Missouri boundary line. 

On a trip up the Missouri river a St. Louis Frenchman 
noticed a river crossing at a place which the Indians called 
Blacksnake Hills. Here Joseph Robidoux established a trad- 
ing house in 1827, from which grew the city of St. Joseph. 
It was ideally located geographically, being on a natural 
route east to west and being a good river port. Its trade at 
first was in furs and peltries. Soon settlers came and in 
1843 the foundation of the city was laid. In 1851 it was in- 
corporated. The town grew fast. The steamboats brought 
it supplies for the north Missouri country and the great 
trains of freighters and emigrants going west. It became the 
outfitting point for the West and Northwest. Caravans, stage 
coaches, and the pony express, brought it trade and news. 
With the coming of the railroad in 1859 it became the west- 
ern terminus of the Hannibal and St. Joseph route. By 1860 
it had a population of 8.932 and in 1870 this had increased 



A Century Of' City RuiiniNo 



311 




312 



History of Missouri and Missouri an s 



to 19,505. Although the early transcontinental railroads 
passed either to the north or to the south, St. Joseph 
grew on account of its rich trading territory in Missouri, 
Iowa, and Kansas. By 1880 it had grown to 32,431 and by 
1890 to 52,324. It was now a railroad center. Most Mis- 
souri cities, excepting Joplin which had opened new mines, 
did not grow fast between 1890 and 1900. Those were 
years of hard times and business depressions, and factories 
do not expand and cities rarely grow fast during business 
depressions. By 1910 St. Joseph had a population of 77,403 
and its population in 1920 was 77,939. 

St. Joseph is the great city of northwest Missouri. It 
is built on the most substantial bases of a rich trading terri- 
tory, fine railroad transportation, and great factories. It is 
a wholesale and packing center. Considering its size it is 
one of the wealthiest cities in the country. Showing its pro- 
gressiveness, it has built on these economic successes a fine 
system of schools, parks, and modern city improvements. 

The fourth city of size in Missouri is Springfield, "The 
Queen of the Ozarks." Located at an altitude of 1,500 feet, 
on the Ozark plateau, Springfield is favored by nature in 
climate, water, resources, and scenery. It is an inland city 
but like the other Missouri cities it draws part of its trade 
from other states. Also like other Missouri cities it is 
located on trade routes and these have been developed 
through the railroads, Springfield is a railroad center and 
a factory center. It serves southwest Missouri. 

Springfield was founded in 1833 by John P. Campbell, 
who had come from Tennessee. It grew slowly and by 1858 
had a population of only 1,200. It was a strategic military 
point during the. Civil War and this served to depress busi- 
ness. After 1865 business revived quickly. By 1870 it had 
a population of 5,555 and in 1890 it had 21,850. By 1910 it 
had increased to 35,201 and by 1920 to 39,631. Its slowest 
growth was between 1890 and 1900, the decade of depres- 



A Century of City Building -513 

sion. The development of the fruit, poultry, and mining in- 
dustries in the Ozarks and in southwest Missouri, combined 
with the factories and railroads in Springfield have furnished 
the economic bases of the city. The rick Ozark soil of the 
prairies has built up a prosperous farming class which to-day 
gives Springfield an economic position as strategic as wa-^ 
its military position in the early '60s. 

The fifth city of size in Missouri is Joplin, the great 
center of the richest zinc mining field in the world. 
This field extends from southwest Missouri to Kansas, 
Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Joplin is the acknowledged indus- 
trial and financial center of this region. Its railroad trans- 
portation is adequate. The business of Joplin was built on 
lead and zinc. Joplin grew from mining camps. The town 
was platted in 1871 and chartered in 1873. In 1880 it had 
a population of 7,038 and in 1890 it had 9,943. By 1900 it 
liad increased to 26,023 and in 1920 its population was 
29,902. Since its principal business is based on the lead and 
zinc industry, it grows tremendously when that industry 
flourishes, i. e., when the price of lead and zinc is so high 
as to profitably work the mines. The recent development 
of the southwest Missouri fruit industry is also becoming an 
important asset to Joplin. 

Conclusion 

Each Missouri city and town, large and small, has an 
interesting history, which is well worth studying. The citi- 
zens of each will be well repaid in learning that history. 
What has made the town, what has built it, what has it 
failed to do, what does it lack,— in short, what are its advan- 
tages and its limitations from an economic, educational, and 
convenience point of view? It is the quality of the town, 
not the size, and it is the progressive character of the citi- 
zens, not the figures on population, which make the city 



jl4 History of Missouri and Missouri ans 

worth while. The size depends largely on economic factors 
as transportation, factories, and trade territory^ the character 
depends entirely on human factors as faith, courage, and 
progressiveness. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. What factors in general contribute to city building? 

2. What are some of the advantages the city affords? 

3. Why are cities important in the history of Missouri? 

4. Trace the growth of St. Louis from 1820. 

5. What four great advantages aided in the growth of St. 
Louis? 

6. What are some of the things for which St. Louis is known? 

7. In what way does the founding and growth of Kansas City 
resemble St. Louis? How does it differ? 

8. What was the greatest agency in the early building of Kan- 
sas City? 

9. How has Kansas City lived up to the motto, "Make Kansas 
City a good place to live in?" 

10. How did the geographic location of St. Joseph contribute to 
its growth? 

11. What economic factors have entered into the building of 
Springfield? 

12. How does a great industry contribute to the prosperity of 
Joplin? 



CriAPTER VII 

A CENTURY OF JOURNALISM AND LITERATURE 

Missouri ranks high in journalism and in literature. In 
each the State has made important contributions. Some of 
the Nation's great editors and authors were either born in 
Missouri or accomplished much of their work in Missouri. 
Among the eminent Missouri editors and reporters are such 
widely known men as Nathaniel Paschal, George Knapp, 
William Hyde, Carl Schurz, Joseph Pulitzer, Joseph B. Mc- 
Cullagh, William R. Nelson, John N. Edwards, Walter B. 
Stevens, William Marion Reedy, and Walter Williams. 
Among the eminent Missouri authors are such noted writers 
as Mark Twain, Eugene Field, Winston Churchill, Augustus 
Thomas, Sara Teasdale, and Fannie Hurst. Some of these 
are known to every well-informed Missourian and others 
have a reputation which is more than nation wide. Missouri 
has reason to be proud of her journalists and authors. 

Journalism in Missouri 

Journalism in Missouri is more than a century old. The 
first newspaper was established in St. Louis in 1808. This 
was the Missouri Gazette. Its founder and editor was a 
native born Irishman, Joseph Charless. For seven years this 
little four-page sheet was the only newspaper west of the 
Mississippi river. It became the Missouri Republican and 
later the St. Louis Republic. It suspended in 1919, after a 
long and valuable career of 111 years. St. Louis was also 
the home of Missouri's second newspaper, the Western 
Journal, founded in 1815. This paper finally became the 
St. Louis Enquirer and for several years was largely con- 
trolled and edited by Missouri's great statesman, Thomas H. 
Benton. The third Missouri newspaper was the Missouri 

(315) 



3l5 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Intelligencer and Boon's Lick Advertiser, founded in 
1819 by Nathaniel Patten and Benjamin Holliday at old 
Franklin, Howard county. Although this paper did not dif- 
fer in size or character from the two St. Louis papers of 
that day, it is usually referred to as the first country news- 
paper in Missouri. Other pioneer newspapers established 
abotit this time were the Missouri Herald at Jackson in 
1819, the Missourian at St. Charles in 1820, the Corre- 
spondent and Record at Ste. Genevieve in 1821, the Mis- 
souri Gazette at St. Charles in 1823, and the Jeffersonian 
at Jefferson City in 1825. The number of newspapers in 
Missouri kept increasing until by 1850 each section of Mis- 
souri except the Ozark counties had several newspapers. The 
first newspaper in the Ozark region was the Ozark Stand- 
ard, established at Springfield in 1838. 

Naturally the early newspapers followed the trend of 
settlement. The first ones were on or near the Mississippi 
or the Missouri river. Later as population spread into the 
interior, the pioneer editor followed with his small wagon- 
load of equipment of type and press. By 1897 Missouri had 
894 newspapers, not including trade journals, but in 1921 the 
number had fallen to 721. The latter included 73 dailies 
and 648 weeklies and semi-weeklies, and they were published 
in 424 places. The first daily newspaper in Missouri was 
the St. Louis Herald, which was published in 1834 but 
which was soon discontinued. The next daily, which con- 
tinued publication, was the Missouri Republican of St. 
Louis. In many ways the Missouri Republican (first call- 
ed the Missouri Gazette and later the St. Louis Republic) 
was one of the greatest newspapers Missouri has produced. 
It was the first weekly, the first metropolitan newspaper, 
the first permanent daily, the first in adopting modern print- 
ing machinery, the first to use extensively the telegraph for 
news, and it had the longest life. St. Louis and Missouri 
owe much to the old Missouri Republican. 



A Centuky of Journalism and Literature jiy 

Missouri journalism is divided into three periods. The 
first was the period of pioneer journalism and extended 
from 1808 to 1850. This period was characterized in general 
by two features, little mechanical equipment for printing 
newspapers and emphasis on ideas rather than on news in 
the newspaper itself. The early newspapers were small in 
size and contained only four pages (two sheets) to an issue. 
The early Missouri Gazette measured only twelve inches 
by eight inches. Gradually the size increased until in the 
'40s and '50s some of the Missouri newspapers measured 
thirty-one inches long by twenty-five inches wide. They 
were called "blanket-sheets." Roth the type setting and the 
press work were done by hand. With the invention of 
modem printing machinery the size decreased and the num- 
ber of pages increased. 

The pioneer Missouri newspaper contained little news. 
It was an idea or a fact-paper rather than a "news" paper 
in the modern sense. It contained articles from other news- 
papers and magazines, chapters and poems from books, let- 
ters from subscribers (usually signed with a pen name), 
unattractive advertising in large quantity, and usually very 
interesting and instructive editorials. Foreign and national 
news was given as much, if not more, attention and space as 
state and local news. Owing to difficulty in obtaining paper 
and to dela)'" of the mails, the pioneer Missouri newspaper 
was frequently irregular in its time of publication. The 
newspapers in St. Louis were naturally of a different type 
as the city grew in size. Here the news feature was first 
introduced, the first telegraph reports, the best machinery, 
and the first reporters. But even down to 1850 the Mis- 
souri newspaper differed greatly in many important features, 
especially in the news feature, from the newspaper of today. 
Still, it was (luring this pioneer period that the Missouri edi- 
tor performed a great service to his community and his state. 
In the countr}' he labored under great disadvantages, the 



3i8 History of Missouri and Missourians 

greatest of which was his small income. This frequently 
forced him to engage in some other occupation in order to 
make a living. 

The second period of Missouri journalism was from 
1850 to 1880. This period marked the awakening of Mis- 
souri journalism and the transition from the old to the new 
journalism. The first fifteen years of this period saw the 
wider use of the telegraph, a deeper interest in political ques- 
tions, the development of news stories (especially during the 
Civil War), the continued use of the "blanket-sheet," and to- 
ward the close the suspension of a number of country 
papers owing to the war. The last fifteen years of this 
period witnessed the rise of real "news" papers, the great 
growth of the metropolitan press in St. Louis, Kansas City, 
St. Joseph, and other towns, the decrease in size and the 
increase in pages of the newspaper, the introduction of 
modern machinery in the city newspaper plants, and the de- 
velopment of the country press through the facilities of the 
mail, railroad, and telegraph. In 1867 the Missouri Press 
Association was organized in St. Louis. This event marked 
the beginning of co-operation among Missouri editors, which 
has done much to elevate the profession of journalism in 
Missouri. 

The third period of Missouri journalism is the mcxkrn 
period, from 1880 to date. The same tendencies noticed in 
the last fifteen years of the second period now strengthened 
and broadened. Better machinery, the application of chem- 
istry to such practical problems as "cut" or illustration work, 
and more adequate transportation facilities, made possible 
the modern city and country newspaper. As the newspaper 
improved, its circulation increased. The income of the edi- 
tor rose, but more important was the development of the 
Missouri editor into a practical business man running his 
paper on a business basis. This latter alone did much to 
elevate journalism in Missouri. The old practice of paying 



A CeNTUKV ok JOL'KNALISM AND L,1TKRATUKK 319 

subscriptions (frequently in arrears) in produce, as corn, 
wood, or potatoes, has long since been abandoned. This 
period also marked the growth of the small city daily and 
the tendency to issue evening rather than morning dailies. 
In 1859 there were four morning daily papers in Missouri to 
one evening daily paper. In 1921 there were four evening 
dailies to one morning daily. 

The last important feature of this period was the estab- 
lishment of the school of journalism of the University of 
Missouri in 1907. Its founder was a native born Missouri 
editor, Walter Williams. This was the first school of 
journalism in the world. It opened in 1908 and has trained 
many men and women in preparation for a journalistic 
career. Instruction in journalism has since been introduced 
in other Missouri educational institutions. 

The Missouri editor has performed a service to his 
state which is invaluable. This is true of the pioneer editor 
and the modern editor, of the country journalist and the city 
journalist. He has been a builder and a teacher. The great 
progress of St. Louis would not have been possible without 
such a paper as the old Missouri Republican. To-day each 
Missouri city has from two to five daily newspapers, and 
every Missouri community is served by at least one local 
newspaper. It is true that we do not hear to-day of such 
outstanding Missouri editors as Joseph B. McCullagh, 
Joseph Pulitzer, or William R. Nelson, or of such remark- 
able reporters as John N. Edwards or Walter B. Stevens, but 
as a whole Missouri journalism to-day is higher, Missouri 
newspapers are better, and Missouri journalists are more 
adequately equipped for their work. 

LlTKRATURE IN MISSOURI 

Literature in Missouri, like journalism, is more than a 
century old. The first Missouri poem was written in 1780 
by a St. Louis schoolmaster, John B. Trudeau. It was called 



320 History of Missouri and Missourians 

"Ballad of the Year of the Surprise," referring to the attack- 
on St. Louis by the British and Indians. In 1821 the first 
book of Missouri poems appeared. Its author was Angus 
Umphraville and it was called "Missouri Lays." Since the ap- 
pearance of Umphraville's "Missouri Lays" in the year of 
Missouri's admission into the Union, the State has done much 
to give her rank in the field of letters. She has produced 
humorists and poets, novelists and historians, story writers 
and dramatists, and in each class were men and women who 
attained distinction over the nation and in several instances 
even over the world. 

Literature in Missouri divides itself into three periods. 
The first period from about 1820 to 1860, sometimes called 
the "settler period," was characterized by several features. 
In the first place, the authors were all Missourians by adop- 
tion. In the second place, these authors made their Missouri 
home in St. Louis. Again, the literature produced, although 
it included some fiction and plays, was largely in the fields 
of description and travel, biography and history. And 
finally, all of the writers followed literature as an avocation, 
that is as something aside from their principal work or busi- 
ness in life. There were few books published during these 
years and there were few men interested in authorship. 
However, the quality of the literature was good, since nearly 
all the authors were men of education and ability. Most of 
these authors are now not widely known but their works 
are still highly regarded and are read by historians and 
scholars. The two most widely known authors of this period 
were Henry M. Brackenridge and Thomas Hart Benton. 
Brackenridge was a lawyer. He traveled over much of the 
Mississippi valley and one of his authoritative books is 
"Recollections of Persons and Places in the West." Benton, 
Missouri's greatest statesman, compiled a number of authori- 
tative books, among which was his great two volume work. 



A Century of Journalism and Literature 321 




''Thirty Years' View ; or, a History of the Working of the 
A.merican Government for Thirty Years from 1820 to 1850." 

The second period of 
htcrature in Missouri 
extended from 1860 to 
1900. This was in some 
respects the "Golden 
Age" of Alissouri litera- 
ture. It was the age 
of Samuel Langhorn 
Clemens (Mark Twain), 
America's greatest hu- 
morist, and Eugene 
Field, Missouri's great- 
est children's poet. ll 
was also the age of 
eminent Missouri writ- 
ers in the fields of fic- 
tion and philosophy, 
ethics and education, religion and science. As a whole 
it was a period of serious scholarship. The serious side 
of life, rather than the lighter and fanciful, was stressed. 
More than half of the better works of this period were 
on such serious subjects as history, philosophy, religion, and 
science. Only about one-fourth of the writers dealt in 
fiction, still the worth of the fiction produced was high. 
Missouri has never had finer or more scholarly authors 
than during these years but she later produced writers 
of finer and more polished style, especially in the field 
of fiction and poetry. During this period the authors were 
largely Missourians by adoption, only about thirty per 
cent having been born in the State. The authors also largely 
engaged in literature as a side occupation but now about 
thirty per cent followed literature as a profession in itself. 
As in the "settler period" most of the writers made their 
homes in St. Louis, which was the literarv center of Mis- 



SA^UJiL. L. CLEALENS, "MAltK TWAIN" 



322 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



souri, but about twenty-five per cent were now claimed by 
other cities and towns. Another characteristic of this period 
was the appearance of women as authors although men were 
still in the majority. 

Among the many writers of this period some of the 
most successful and most eminent were Mark Twain, Eugene 
Field, John N. Edwards, Adolph Ernest Kroeger, W. T. 
Harris, B. J. Snider, James W. Buel, Nathan C. Kouns, 
Frederick L. Billon, Mrs. Kate Chopin, and . William Vin- 
cent Byars. The first two are known to every school boy 
and girl. Both were Missouri born and Missouri reared. 
Mark Twain — his real name was Samuel Langhorn Clemens 
— was born in Florida, Missouri, and was reared in Hanni- 
bal. He was Missouri's greatest man of letters and America's 
greatest humorist. He was more than a mere fun-maker and 
a writer of fiction, however, and was perhaps more deepl> 
interested in the philosophy of life. Eugene Field was a 

native of St. Louis, 
where he also was 
reared. He was a 
journalist and worked 
in St. Louis, Kansas 
City, St. Joseph. Den- 
ver, and Chicago. He 
was a poet of rank and 
his "Little Bo\- Blue" 
breathed a deep sympa- 
thy for child life. He 
ranks as Missouri's 
greatest children's poet. 
John N. Edwards was 
a journalist and did 
most of his work in 

KUGKNK ..iKLn ^^'^"^''^ ^''^y. Hc was 

a remarkably able re- 
porter and writer. His field was semi-historical on subjects 





'"^V| 


i 




\ 








t^^ ui^^^H 


IM 



A Century of Journalism and Literatukk ■^23 

relating to the Civil War. Adolph Ernest Kroeger was a 
native of the Duchy of Schleswig in Europe. He made his 
home in St. Louis where he achieved distinction as a 
scholar and writer on philosophy. \V. T. Harris was also a 
St. Louisan i)y adoption. His writings an education and his 
great work for public education gave him a national reputa- 
tion. He was one of the most learned scholars in the United 
States. P>enton Jacques Snider, another St. Louisan by 
adoption, also had a national reputation in the field of phil- 
osophy and classic scholarship. James W. Buel was the 
most prolific author who ever lived in Missouri. Most of 
his works related to description and travel, biography and his- 
tory. Nathan C. Kouns was a native of Fulton, Missouri, 
and later made his home in Kansas City and Jefferson City. 
He was a novelist of rank. Frederick L. Billon, another St. 
Louisan by adoption, was a historian whose works promise 
to live. Mrs. Kate Chopin, a native of St. Louis, was a 
painstaking author of rare ability. Her stories were among 
the finest produced in America on the subject of Creole life 
in the South. 

The third, and present, period of literature in Missouri 
extends from 1900 to date. It is characterized by several 
features. In the first place, the authors are largel}^ native 
born Missourians. Although St. Louis still maintains her lit- 
erary ascendancy, other cities and towns are now producing 
more writers of ability than ever before. In the second 
place, the novel, the short story, and the poem predominate. 
This is largely a period of light literature where the imagina- 
tion and the polished style of the author are in the ascendancy. 
Again, women divide honors with men as authors. On the 
whole, it is a period of greater literary activity than any 
previous period and it is well maintaining Missouri's rank as 
established by Missouri's greatest writers. 

Among some of the foremost literary characters of this 
period are Winston Churchill. Augustus Thomas. Rupen 



324 History of Missouri and Missourians 

Hughes, Walter B. Stevens, Louis Houck, Fannie Hurst. 
Sara Teasdale, Homer Croy, J. Breckenridge Ellis, Louis 
Dodge, William Marion Reedy, Harris Merton Lyon, and 
Mary Alicia Owen. Winston Churchill is a native of St. 
Louis. He is Missouri's greatest historical novelist. Augustus 
Thomas is also a native of St. Louis and is Missouri's great- 
est dramatist. Rupert Hughes is a native of Lancaster, Mis- 
souri, and is one of Missouri's eminent short story writers, 
novelists, and dramatists. Walter B. Stevens, a St. Louisan 
by adoption, is Missouri's most popular and prolific historical 
writer. He is also one of Missouri's two greatest reporters. 
Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, is Missouri's most eminent 
historian of the early period down to 182L Fannie Hurst, 
a native of St. Louis, is widely known for her short stories. 
Sara Teasdale, of St. Louis, shares with Eugene Field the 
honor of Missouri's foremost poet. Homer Croy, a native 
of Maryville, Missouri, is well known for his humorous writ- 
ings and works of fiction. J- Breckenridge Ellis, of Platts- 
burg, Missouri, is one of Missouri's most widely known 
novelists. Louis Dodge, of St. Louis, is also a novelist of 
rank. William Marion Reedy, of St. Louis, did more through 
his magazine, the St. Louis Mirror, to develop a new school 
of . Missouri and Mid- West writers than any other person. 
His essays and editorial comments on varied subjects are 
classic in style and beauty. Harris Merton Lyon, of Kansas 
City, is perhaps Missouri's greatest short-story writer. Mary 
Alicia Owen, of St. Joseph, is Missouri's greatest authority 
and writer on folk-lore. Missouri has every reason to be 
proud of her century of literature. To-day the State 
stands high even in comparison with the best and the oldest 
of America's literary centers. 



A Century of Journalism and Literature 325 
Suggestive Questions 

1. What was the name of the first Missouri newspaper? When 
was it established? By what name was this paper known 
later? 

2. Name two other early newspapers and the editor of each. 

3. What characterized the first period of Missouri journalism? 

4. What progress in journalism was made from 1850 to 1880? 

5. What facilities have added to the rapid growth of the 
modern city and the country newspaper? 

6. What was the first book of Missouri poems? 

7. What characterized the first period of Missouri literature? 

Name two authors of this period. 

8. In what sense was the period of Missouri literature from 1860 

to 1900 the "Golden Age" of Missouri letters? Name four 
authors of this period, each prominent in a different phase 
of literature. 

9. What features characterize Missouri literature from 1900 to 

date? Name five authors of this period, each prominent in 
a different field of literature. 



Chapter VIII 

A CENTURY OF EDUCATION 

Education in Missouri, like journalism, is more than a 
century old. Its beginnings may be traced back into the 
Spanish-French period. Since that period in the 18th cen- 
tury to the modern period in the 20th century man}- changes 
have taken place, many educational problems have been 
solved, and many obstacles have been overcome. The private 
school, the church school, and the public school appeared and 
each made its contribution and performed its service to the 
people. The original idea of the settlers that the parents 
should educate their children still remains in Missouri, but 
in addition has been adopted the broader idea that the State 
should educate the children of to-day in order that it may 
have the progressive, enlightened citizens of to-morrow. Edu- 
cation is now free to all, and undoubtedly the greatest of 
Missouri's assets, greater even than her natural resources, is 
her schools, colleges, and universities. 

Elementary Education 

The first schools in Missouri were private schools. 
They appeared during the Spanish-French period and were 
conducted by the village priest and by the private school- 
master. These schools were confined to the towns. From 
an early date St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, and St. Louis had 
schools under the village priest, where elementary instruc- 
tion was given and later instruction in the Latin, French, 
and Spanish languages. The first private boys' school in 
St. Louis was opened by John B. Trudeau (Jean Baptiste 
Trudeau). Trudeau was Missouri's first schoolmaster; he 
was also Missouri's first poet. He taught from 1774 to 
1827, a period of over half a century. The first private 

(326) 



A Century of Education 



327 



school for girls west of the Mississippi was established about 
1790 by Mme. Rigauche. This also was a French school 
and was located in St. Louis. Here the elementary branches 
were taught as well as music, languages, and the "graces." 
In the private French schools tuition was charged. 

The coming of the Americans after 1804 added other 
types of schools. The village priest schools and the private 
town schools of the French period continued, but now the 
Protestant ministers and the private American schoolmasters 
began giving elementary instruction in the towns and the in- 
terior settlements. Another addition, the most important, 
was the appearance of the district subscription school in the 
pioneer settlements. The families in a community employed 
the teacher and paid him according to the number of 
children sent by each family. Sometimes the community 
built a log schoolhouse and sometimes the children were 
taught at the home of the teacher. The first English district 
school in Missouri was opened by Benjamin Johnson on 
Sandy Creek, in what is now Jefferson county, in 1806. The 
district subscription school gradually spread over Missouri as 
the American settlers pushed into the interior. It was frequently 
founded even before the newspaper and the court house. 
Later it became the basis of the elementary public school and 
it continued for many years even after the free public school 
had appeared. Previous to -the coming of the public school 
another type of school appeared in Missouri in which ele- 
mentar}' instruction was frequently given as well as second- 
ary education. This was the academy and the ladies' semi- 
nary. Since these latter were primarily secondary schools, 
i. e., similar to high schools, they will be considered under 
secondary education. 

To-day elementary education in Missouri is given almost 
entirely in the public schools, i. e., tax-supported schools 
free to all persons between six and twenty years of age. 
The first movement in Missouri to establish a system of pub- 



328 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



lie schools was made in St. Louis in 1817 but the first public 
school in St. Louis was not opened until 1838. The story of 
the public school system in the State is filled with inter- 
esting and instructive lessons. The development was slow, 
owing to several causes. In the first place, the private school, 
the academy, and the district subscription school, at least 
partially served the needs of elementary education, but of 
course this service was confined to those who were able to 
pay. Naturally, in those early days, many opposed school 
taxation for the benefit of educating the children of other 
citizens. Besides, some persons had no children and they 
also objected. In other words, although the people in gen- 
eral believed in education, they did not regard it as the duty 
of the State to undertake this expensive work, but they 
thought that it was the duty of the parents. In the second 
place, the public school in Missouri was at first frequently 
regarded as a school for the poor children and the orphans. 
For example, in Missouri's first state constitution (1820) 
was an excellent article on education in which was stated 
"One school or more shall be established in each township, as 
soon as practicable and necessary, where the poor shall be 
taught gratis." As a result of this attitude, many persons 
preferred to send their children to private schools. Natur- 
ally, these persons, who were influential leaders, were not so 
interested in the development of -a public school system. To- 
day, the public school is open to the poorest child and is good 
enough for the richest child. In the third place, much of 
the public school land donated to Missouri by the United 
States was sold early and therefore did not bring a good 
price. Moreover, the money received from this land was in 
vested in stock of the State Bank and for years the income 
on the money was very small. Since this income was one 
of the main sources of support for the public schools, this 
resulted in delaying the growth of a public school system. 
Finally, the Civil War practically closed the public schools of 



A Century of Education ^29 

Missouri. As a result of these and other factors, the pub- 
lic school system in Missouri developed slowly and only after 
overcoming many obstacles. 

The first general law^ for a public school system in Mis- 
souri was passed in 1835. The most important early law 
was the Geyer Act of 1839. The Geyer Act was the foun- 
dation of Missouri's present school system. It provided for 
the various state, county, and township school funds ; a state 
superintendent of schools; the ages of the white school 
children (eight to sixteen years), — no provision was made 
for the education of negro children until the constitution of 
1865 ; and a state university. The Geyer Act was a complete 
"paper system" of public education. It was virtually an 
adoption of Thomas Jefferson's famous and worthy plan for 
free public education for all the people from the elementary 
grades to the university. Unfortunately, the Geyer Act, as 
such, was never fully put into operation. In 1843 organized 
common schools were supported in forty-two of the seventy- 
seven counties. In 1854 out of 233,327 children of school 
age in the State, only 86,505 were in the public schools, the 
remainder being in private schools or not attending any 
school. Duripg the '50s much progress was made but even 
in 1859 only one-half of the children attended the public 
school. The average teacher's salary for the year was $121. 
The equipment was also poor, for in 1859 the total amount 
raised to build and repair public school houses was only 
$192,423. 

After the Civil War the people awakened to the need of 
better education. From that time the State advanced rap- 
idly. Both the constitution of 1865 and that of 1875 empha- 
sized public education for both white and negro children. 
For decades the State has appropriated one-third of the 
general revenue for the public schools in addition to the in- 
come from the state school fund. The school districts in 
town and country have voted larger and larger taxes for 



330 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



schools. City schools, unsurpassed, appeared and great pro- 
gress has lately been made in the rural schools by way of 
greater support and consolidation. This table taken from the 
report of the state superintendent of schools for 1921 will 
make clear the remarkable progress that has taken place in 
the public school system of Missouri during the last fifty 
years. 

1867 1920 

Total value of schoolhouses $1,480,729 $65,605,240 

Total value of school equipment 58,075 6,120,465 

Number of public schoolhouses 

(St. Louis excluded) 4,135 9,486 

Number of log schoolhouses 2,274 Very few 

Total amount paid for teachers' wage.... 641,974 16,831,753 

Number of teachers — public schools .... 6,262 21,126 

Number of children — public schools 169,270 672,483 

Average salary of teachers (male) $38.60 $95 

Average salary of teachers (female) $29.81 $65 

Average number of months taught per year 4.6 7 to 8 

Number of school libraries in Missouri.. 12 8,996 

Equally instructive of Missouri's progress in education 
is the difference in the character of the course of study of- 
fered fifty years ago and of that offered to-day. The elemen- 
tary education of that day was confined to a few subjects, 
as writing, reading, arithmetic, geography, history, and Eng- 
lish grammar. To-day not only are these subjects taught 
more thoroughly but many other subjects of cultural and 
practical value have been added. 

The State has not only improved the school system by 
giving it more adequate financial support but also by passing 
and enforcing laws regulating and raising the elementary 
public schools. The qualifications of teachers were raised 
through examinations, teachers' institutes, and better training 
in teachers' colleges. The attendance of pupils was increased 
by the compulsory attendance law of 1905. Special state aid 
was provided for weak districts. County supervision was 



A Century of Education 



331 



finally made effective by the law of 1909, which required 
each county to select a county superintendent and which also 
provided a state subsidy of $400 to help his salary. The 
great need of teachers in elementary schools was also parti- 
ally met by a law (1913) providing teacher-training in high 
schools. In 1913 the free textbook law and the state board 
convention law were passed. In 1921 a county unit law, 
making the county the unit of school administration for 
schools below a certain rank, was passed. This law was held 
up by the referendum. One of the greatest forces in pro- 
moting better schools and welding all the teachers together 
in an enthusiastic, progressive body, is the State Teachers' 
Association, which is the second largest in the United States. 
The State has also maintained for years special schools. 
These schools are supported by the State and have perform- 
ed a great service. The school for the deaf and dumb 
children is located at Fulton ; the school for the blind, at St. 
Louis; the home for the feeble minded and the epileptic, at 
Marshall ; and the school for the incorrigible boys, white 
girls, and negro girls, respectively, at Boonville, Chillicothe, 
and Tipton. 

Secondary Education 

The early secondary schools in Missouri were the aca- 
demies and the ladies' seminaries. Both were tuition schools. 
The academy idea of education was found in nearly all 
parts of the country. The female seminary idea originated 
in the South. Some of the early academies chartered in 
Missouri were: Jackson, 1820, in Cape Girardeau county; 
St. Charles and Franklin, 1820; Louisiana, 1822; St. Marys, 
1822; Potosi, 1824; Ste. Genevieve, 1824; Boonville. 1825; 
and Fayette, 1825. The academy spread rapidly over Mis- 
souri and by 1850 there were 204 academies in the State, in 
which were enrolled 8,000 students. A few of these 
academies became military schools. To-day the academies 



332 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



have nearly passed away. Of the miHtary academies three 
have survived; Kemper, at Boonville, Missouri MiHtary, at 
Mexico, and Wentworth, at Lexington. 

The female seminaries also had their beginning at the 
time of the academy. Many were church schools. The 
Sacred Heart academy at St. Louis was founded by the 
Catholics as early as 1818. Among the early seminaries were 
Elizabeth Aull, at Lexington, 1820; Lindenwood, at St. 
Charles, 1830; and Howard Payne, at Fayette, 1834. The 
female seminary idea also spread rapidly over Missouri. A 
number of them are now junior colleges of the State, i. e., 
half-way schools between the high school and the college and 
university. Some of the cities also have established junior 
colleges but these are a part of the public school system. In 
1921 Missouri still had forty- four fully accredited academies 
and eighteen junior colleges. 

The secondary schools in Missouri to-day are the high 
schools. They are all the development of the last fifty 
years of Missouri's public school system, excepting three 
high schools in St. Louis, St. Joseph, and Kansas City. The 
first high school in Missouri was opened in St. Louis in 1853 
with 70 pupils. In 1921 St. Louis had six first class 
high schools with 12,268 pupils. The second high school in 
Missouri was opened in St. Joseph in 1866 and the third in 
Kansas City in 1867. Owing to various causes the growth 
of the high school idea in Missouri was slow. Perhaps the 
two main reasons were first the fact that the high schools 
had no legal status in any Missouri constitution and second 
the strength of the private schools, especially the academies, 
giving secondary instruction. Even as late as 1899 Missouri 
had only 27 four-year, 38 three-year, and 60 two-year high 
schools, — a total of 125 high schools of which one-half gave 
only two years work. In 1921 Missouri had 396 first class, 
94 second class, 166 third class, and 64 unclassified high 
schools, — a total of 720 high schools of which over one-half 



A Century of Education 



333 



were first class high schools. In these 720 schools were en- 
rolled 74,248 pupils, of which 68,011 were in first class high 
schools. Much of this progress was due to the law of 1903, 
which gave the high school a firm legal basis by providing 
for state inspection of high schools by the state superintend- 
ent of schools. This inspection has accomplished much in 
developing the high school spirit and in raising the standards. 
Moreover, the people now appreciate the great work being 
accomplished in their high schools The cities and towns are 
continuously advancing and lately the progressive rural dis- 
tricts have solved the problem of secondary education by 
consolidations with town high schools or with other country 
districts. The future of the Missouri high school was never 
brighter than it is to-day. 

Equally as important as the progress of the high 
school in numbers and enrollment, has been the improvement 
in its course of study. Prof. C. A. Phillips, of the Warrens- 
burg state teachers college, has described this in these words: 
*'The early academies and high schools were for such stu- 
dents only as expected to attend college. At the present 
time, however, the modern high school curriculum in the 
State makes provision for practically all sorts of people — 
teacher-training classes for those who would begin teaching, 
vocational agriculture, vocational home economics, the trades, 
all the sciences, histories, languages, and technical subjects. 
Indeed, a modern high school curriculum is the equivalent 
of the ordinary college curriculum of thirty or forty years 
ago, except for the languages demands made by those col- 
leges." 

Higher Education 

Higher education in Missouri, or "the college and uni- 
versity era," had its beginnings in church schools. The first 
college was organized by the Catholics in St. Louis in 1819 
and became St. Louis University in 1832. The Uni- 



^^4 History of Missouri and Missourians 

versit}- of Missouri, the head of the pubUc school system of 
Missouri, was estabUshed at Columbia in 1839. Other insti- 
tutions of college rank founded in Missouri were: Centra) 
College at Fayette, founded by the Methodists, 1844; William 
Jewell College at Liberty, founded by the Baptists, 1849; 
Westminister College at Fulton, Presbyterian, 1853 ; Wash- 
ington University, St. Louis, founded in 1854 by a St. Louis 
merchant, Wayman Crow ; Drury College at Springfield,. 
Congregational, 1873 ; Park College at Parkville, Presbyte- 
rian, 1875; Tarkio College at Tarkio, 1883; and Missouri 
Valley College at Marshall, Presbyterian, 1888. These col- 
leges, with the Central Wesleyan of Warrenton and the Mis- 
souri Wesleyan of Cameron, constitute the "College Union." 
The state normal schools, now called teachers colleges, were 
organized in 1870. The first two were established at Kirks- 
ville and Warrensburg. In 1873 a third school was founded 
at Cape Girardeau, and in 1905 two more were established — 
one at Springfield and one at Maryville. These five state 
teachers colleges are also part of the public school system. 
They were established primarily to train teachers. They 
now give a full four year college course and their enrollment 
is rapidly increasing. Down to 1920 these schools had en- 
rolled more than 145,000 students. Education for the ne- 
groes of the State was first provided for with the establish- 
ment of Lincoln Institute at Jefferson City in 1866. In 1879 
this institute was taken over by the State and in 1921 the 
Legislature changed its name to Lincoln University. 

The two leading universities in Missouri are Washington 
University at St. Louis and the University of Missouri. The 
former was founded in 1854 by Wayman Crow, a St. Louis 
merchant. Through the public spirit of leading citizens of 
St. Louis this institution received large gifts in money and 
property until to-day it has an endowment fund running into 
the millions of dollars. Washington University is supported 
by the income from this fund and from tuition charged stu- 



A Century of Education 335 

dents. It maintains a number of complete schools or col- 
leges in which higher instruction is given in the arts and 
sciences, engineering, medicine, law, dentistry, business and 
commerce. It is one of the leading universities in the Mid- 
dle West. 

The University of Missouri at Columbia, the capstone of 
Missouri's public educational system, was founded by the 
State in 1839. The United States also gave Missouri public 
land for the establishment of such an institution. Although 
the first state university established west of the Mississippi 
river, the growth of the University of Missouri was slow. 
Not until 1867 did it receive from the State an appropriation 
for support. As Missouri awakened to the need of such 
an institution adequately equipped, the State began to sup- 
port it more liberally. The University of Missouri is to-day 
one of the greatest universities of its kind in the United 
States. Its separate colleges provide professional education 
in agriculture, arts and sci^ence, law, education, engineering, 
journalism, commerce, and medicine. Another college of the 
University of Missouri is the school of mines and metallurgy 
located at Rolla, Missouri. The entrollment of the Uni- 
versity of Missouri for 1921 was over 6,000 students. 

Suggestive Questions 

1. Who was Missouri's first schoolmaster? 

2. What beginnings were made in elementary education during 

the Spanish-French period? 

3. What changes in education took place with the coining of 
the Americans? 

4. How did the district subscription school differ from the pub- 

lic school? 

5. Why was the development of the public school system slow 

in Missouri? 

6. Illustrate Missouri's progress in public (duration. 



336 History of Missouri and Missourians 

7. In what kind of schools did secondary education have its be- 

ginning in Missouri? 

8. Indicate the progress made by the high school in Missouri 

during the last fifty years. 

9. Describe the general progress of higher education in Mis- 

souri. 



appi:ndix 

Reference Books Desirable for a Small Working Library 
on Missouri History 

(All of these works, excepting complete sets of back volumes 
of the publications of the State Historical Society of Missouri and 
of the Missouri Historical Society, can be secured for about $25.00.) 

Carr, Lucien, Missouri, A Bunt of Contention. 1899. Houghton 
Mifflin Co. A brief ,i;cncral work on the history of Missouri. It is 
largely political in treatment and is not down to date. 

HoucK, Louis, History of Missouri from Earliest Explorations 
and Settlements until the Admission of the State into the Union. 
3 vols., 1908. Donnelley and Sons, Cliicago. The best work pub- 
lished on Missouri history down to 1821. 

McElrov, John, Struggle for Missouri. 1909. National Publishing 
Co. A presentation of the Civil War in Missouri. 

Meigs, William, Thomas Hart Benton. Lippincott 

Missouri Historical Review. State Historical Society of Mis- 
souri, Columbia. A (juarlLrly magazine of over one hundred pages 
to the number. Subscription price $1.00 a year. Complete set of 16 
vols., bound, $60.00. Contains valuable articles on every phase of 
Missouri history. 

Missouri Historical Society Collections. Missouri Historical 
Society, St. Louis. Contains valuable studies on Missouri history. 

Shoemaker, Floyd C, Missouri's Hall of Fame. Missouri Book 
Company, Columbia. Devoted to the lives of eminent Missourians. 

Shokmaker, Floyd C, Missouri's Struggle for Statehood, 1804- 
1821. Floyd C. Shoemaker, Columbia. An intensive study of Mis- 
souri government from 1804 to 1821. 

Thwaites, Reuisen G., Daniel Boone. Appletons. 

ViOLETTE, E. M., History of Missouri. 1918. D. C. Heath & Co. 
An excellent treatment of those topics in Missouri history that have 
significance in the history of the nation. 

Williams, Walter, The State of Missouri, An Autobiography. 
May be obtained from The Slate Historical Society of Missouri, 
Columbia, at $1.00. Contains valuable information on Missouri. 

(337) 



INDEX 



Academies, 331-332 

Acts of Congress. See Congress 

Adams. H. M., 246 

Admission of Alissouri into the Union, 
74-75 

Agriculture in Missouri, during Span- 
ish period, 50-53; 1820-1921, 272- 
282 

Amendments to constitution. See Con- 
stitution 

American Fur Co., 103-104, 109 

American immigration to Missouri, 43- 
46, 77-82 

American settlements in Missouri, 43- 
46, 77-82 

Americans in Missouri, 23-27, 60 

Anderson, Bill, 230231 

Ashley, William H., 72, 101-103, 114, 
122 

Astor, John Jacob, 103-104 

Atchison, David R., 129-130, 133, 136, 
138-140, 217 

AuU, Elizabeth, Seminary, 332 

Austin, Moses and Stephen, 45-46, 285 

Automobiles in Missouri, 302 

Arsenal, at Liberty, 153; at St. Louis, 
154 

Bank of the State of Missouri, 120 

Banks in pioneer Missouri, 86 

Baptists in Missouri, 92 

Barton, David, 72, 74-75, 123 

Barytes. See Mining 

Batdorf, Edwin, 233 

Bates, Edward. 72, 114, 122 

Bates, Frederick 65 116-119 

Battle of New Orleans, 87; Brazito, 
214; Sacramento, 215; Boonville, 
222; Carthage, 55; Wilson's Creek, 
224; Lexington, 225; Pea Ridge, 
227; Kirksville, 228; Independence, 
228; Lone Jack, 228; Westport, 231 

Becknell, William, 105 

Bent, Governor, 216 

Benton, Thomas Hart, 72, 74 75, 110, 
114, 116. 128136, 315, 320 

Big Ozark spring, 15 

"Big Shake." The, 79 

Billon, Frederick L., 322-323 



Bingham, G. C, 230 

Black Hawk War, 119, 209 

Blair, Frank P., 149-156, 169-170, 180- 
181 

Bland, Richard P., 187-188, 193 

Boats. Sec Steamboat 

Boggs, Lilburn W., 116, 120-121 

Bogy, Louis V.. 181 

Bonds. See Transportation, Soldiers 
Bonus, Pension for Blind, Roads 

Booms, 84, 203-204. See also Agricul- 
ture 

Boone, Daniel, 45-46 

Boone's Lick country, 78 

Boone's Lick Trail, 108 

Boonville, battle of, 222 

"Border Ruffians," 140 

Border Troubles before Civil War, 
138-14U, 142 

Border Warfare, 1861-1863, 229-230 

I'oundaries of Missouri, 68-69 

Brackcnridge, Henry M., 320 

Brazito, battle of, 214 , 

Breckenridge Democrats, 144-145 

Bridger, Jim, 101 

British attack on St. Louis, 48-50 

Brookings, Robert S., 245 

Brown, B. Gratz, 160-161, 171, 180, 
182 

I'rowii, John, 217 

Bryan, W. J., 193, 198 

Buckner, Alexander, 123 

Bucl, James T., 228 

Buel, James W., 322 323 

Byars, W. V., 322 323 

Caffee, W. E., 233 

Cahokia, settlement at, 38 

California Trail, 109 

Camp Jackson, 154 

Campbell, John P., 312 

Cape Girardeau, 44, 66 

Capitals of Missouri, 63, 74 

Capitols of Missouri, 117-118 

Carondclet, 42 

Carthage, battle of, 224 

Carts, early French, 55 

Catholics in pioneer Missouri, 55 56 

Cement. See Mining 



(338) 



Index 



339 



Centennial celebrations in Mo., 207 

"Central Clique," 126 

Central College, Fayette, 334 

Centralia Massacre, 230 

Central Weslcyan College, Warrenton, 
334 

Charless, Joseph, S7, 315 

Chopin, Mrs. Kate, 322-323 

Chouteau, Auguste, 40-41, 95 

Chouteau, Franeois, 307 

Chi)>iteau, Madame, 41-42 

( hurchill, Winston, 315, 323-324 

Cities in Missouii, 303-314 

Civil War, 219-232 

Civil War politics, 147 164 

Clark, Champ, 199 

Clark, George Rogers, 143 

Clark, Harvey C, 236 

Clark, John B., Jr., 156 

Clark, William, 20, 66, 8182, 119 120 

Clay, Henry, 74 

Clay products. Sec Alining 

Clemens, Samuel L., 321-322 

Clothes of pioneer Fretich and Ameri- 
cans, 56 

Coal. See Mining 

Cockrell, Francis M., 184 

Coins in pioneer Missouri, 84-85 

Colby, Bainbridge, 246 

Colleges, 332, 334 

"College Union," 334 

Colony for feeble minded, 193 

Common field and commons, 51 

Compromise, Missouri, 68 

Confederates in Missouri, 219 232 

Confederate Soldiers home, 193 

Congress, act of, 1803, 63; 1804, 63- 
64; 1805, 64-65; 1812, 6667; 1816, 
67; 1820, 68; 1821, 70, 74-75 

Conservative Union party, 169-170 

Constitution of 1820, 70-72; 1845, 129 
131; 1865, 164168; 1875, 185-186 

Constitutional convention, 1861, 150- 
152, 156-160; 1922, 206. See also 
Constitution 

Constitutional Union party, 143-145 

Conventions. See Constitution, Rail- 
roads, Politics 

Cook, John D., 72 

Coontz, Robert E., 245 

Cooper, Benjamin, 80 

Copper. See Mining 



Colby, Joseph A., 233 
Corn. See Agriculture 
Coronado, 29 

COKKESPONDENT ANU RECORD^ 316 

Council of Defence, 24 

Counties, 66, 253-254 

Creel, George, 245 

Crittenden, Thomas T., 188-189 

Crosby, Oscar T., 246 

Crossley, Wallace, 242 

Crow, Waymau, 334 

Crowder, E. 11., 244 

Croy, Homer, 324 

Curtis, General, 226, 231 

Davis, J. Lionbcrger, 246 

Davison, G. C, 245 

De Bourgmont, 34-35 

De Lassus, 59 

Delawares, 19, 81 

Delegates to Missouri's const, conv., 

1820, 72 
Democratic party. Sec Politics 
Depression of 1819, 84; 1837, 120; 

'70s, 183-184; '90s, 191; 1920-1921, 

205 
De Soto, 29 

District of Louisiana, 64 
Dockery, A. M., 194, 245 
Dodge, Henry, 72, 81, 209 
Dodge, Louis, 324 
Doniphan, A. W., 131, 213-216 
Doniphan's Expedition, 212-216 
Douglass Democrats, 144145 
Drake, Charles D., 166, 180 
Dress in pioneer days, 56 
Drury College, Springfield, 334 
Duden's book, 24 
Dunklin, Daniel, 116, 119120 
Du Tisne, 33-34 
Earthquake of 1811, 79-80 
Eastin, Rufus, 67 
Education, in pioneer Missouri, 56, 

90-92; a century of, 326-336 
Edwards, John C, 123, 129-131 
Edwards, John N., 315, 319, 322 
Eighty-ninth Division, 239-240 
Election, first State, 1820, 72. See 

also Politics. 
Ellis, J. Breckenridge, 324 
Emancipation, 160-164, 166 
Emigrant Aid Societies, 216-217 
Enabling Act of 1820. 68 



340 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Ewing, H. S., 231 

Ewing, Thomas, 229-230 

Exploration of the West, 35-36, 94- 

111 
Explorers, 27-36 
Farmer, Early Aimricaii and French, 

51-54 . 
Farniington, 45 

Farm machinery and farms. See Ag- 
riculture 
Farmers' Alliance party, 183-184 
"Fathers of the State," 70-72 
Federal Farm Loan bank, 305 
Federal Reserve banks, 305 
Federals in Missouri, 231-232 
Federal soldiers home, 193 
Field, Kugene, 315, 321-322 
Findlay, Jonathan S., 72 
First settlements in Missouri, 32, 34, 

38-46' 
Fitzsimmons, W. T., 240 
Flatboats, 88 

Fletcher, Thomas C, 164-170 
Florissant, 43 
Florida War, 209-210 
Folk, Joseph W., 196-197 
Foreign born in Missouri, 26, 260- 

263 
Forts, Chartres, 40; Carondelet, 95; 

Orlieans, 34, 38 
Foxes, . 19-20. See also Sacs and 

Foxes 
Francis, David R., 191-192, 245 
Franklin, town of, 78, 104 
Frederjcktown, 45 
Fre» negroes, 74 
Free silver campaign, 187, 193 
Fremont, John C, 110, 162, 226 
French explorers, 21-23, 27-36 
French settlements, 38-46 
Fruit experiment station, 193 
Fur trade attracted French, 28; extent 

of. 95, 99-104; of St. Louis, 305 
Gamble, Hamilton R., 151, 157-161 
Gambling in pioneer days, 61, 90 
Gardner, Frederick D., 201-203, 241 
Garrett, Ruby D., 238 
Gehrung, Julien A., 245 
General Assembly, first state, 72-74. 

See also Politics 
Gentry, Richard, 120, 209-210 
Gentry, William, 183 



Geography of Missouri, 16-18 

Geological survey, 293 

Germans in Missouri 24, 127-128, 150- 
152. Sec also Population 

(ieyer Act of 1839, 329 

Geyer, Henry S., 136 

Glasgow, captured, 231 

Government in Missouri, under Span- 
ish, 47-57; 1804 1821, 62-75. See 
also Politics 

Governors of Missouri. Sec Govern- 
ment in Missouri 

Grange or People's party, 175, 183 

Gratiot, Charles, 60 

Great American Desert, 98 

Great Salt Lake Trail, 109 

(ireeley, Horace, 182 

Green, Duff, 72 

Green, James S., 133, 141, 152 

Greenback party, 175 

Gregg, Josiah, 107 

Gross, G. P., 233 

Hadley, Herbert S., 197-198 

Hall, Willard P., 133, 157, 161, 213 

Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. See 
Transportation 

Hardeman, Fletcher, 234 

Hardin, Charles H., 183-186 

"Hards," 116, 128 

Harris, W. T., 322-323 

Harvey, Ford T., 246 

Hayes, Upton, 228 

Hempstead, Edward, 67 

Henderson, John B., 151, 160-161 

Henry, Andrew, 101 

Holden, Hale, 246 

Holden, James F., 246 . 

Holliday, Benjamin, 316 

Home for feeble minded, 331 

Home Guards. See "Wide- Awakes" 

Honey War, 212 

Hoover food pledge, 241-242 

Horses. Sec Agriculture 

Houck, Louis, 324 

Houses, American and French, 53-54 

Houston, David E., 245 

Howard, Benjamin, 65 

Howard county, 78 

Howard Payne seminary, 332 

Hughes, Colonel, 228 

Hughes, Rupert, 324 

Hurst, Fannie, 315, 324 



Index 



341 



Hunter, General, 226 

Hunter, John, 246 

Hunting in pioneer Missouri, 54 

Hyde, Arthur M., 205-207 

llydc, William. 315 

Illinois country, 38, 42-44 

HlinoisFrench, 38, 42 44 

Immigration to Missouri. See French, 
Americans, Germans, etc., and Pop- 
ulation 

Independence, and Santa Fc trade, 
104, 106; Oregon Trail, 109; bat- 
tle of, 228 

Indiana territory, 64 

Indians in Missouri, 19-21; troubles 
in 1812, 80-82 

Industrial school for girls, 190; for 
negro girls, 198 

Initiative and referendum, 197 

Interstate migration, 263-264 

Iowa-Missouri boundary dispute, 131; 
212 

lowas, 19 

Irish in Missouri, 25, 128. Sec Popu 
lation 

Iron. See Mining 

"Ironclad" oath, 166-168, 180 

Jackson, Claiborne F., 134, 144, 149- 
156, 220-224 

Jackson, Hancock, 141 

■'Jackson Resolutions," 134 

•'Jawhawkers," 142, 217 

Jefferson City, 117 

Jeffersonian, 316 

Johnson, Benjamin, 327 

Johnson, Waldo P., 152, 158 

Joliet, 31 

Jones, John Rice, 72 

Joplin, 313 

Journalism in Missouri, 315-319 

Kansas Border troubles, 138 140, 142, 
216-217 

Kansas City, 35, 104, 106, 306-310 

Kansas Indians, 19 

Kansas-Nebraska bill, 137 

Kaskaskia, 38 

Kearney, Stephen W., 213 

Keel boats, 88 

Keithley, Ferdinando, 234 

Kellogg, A. A., 245 

Kemper academy, 332 

King, Austin A., 132-133 



Kirksville, battle of, 228 

Knapp, George, 315 

Kouns, Nathan C, 322-323 

Krckcl, Arnold, 166 

Krocgcr, Adolph Ernest, 322-323 

Laclede, founder of St. Louis, 39-40 

La Hontan, 32 

Lamm, Henry, 202 

La Motte, 283 

Land, prices of, etc., 43-44, 84. See 

also Agriculture 
Land office law, 1821, 118 
Lane, Jim, 229 
La Salle, 31-32 
Lawrence, Kan., 229 
Lawyers in pioneer Missouri, 86 
Lead, attracted French, 28, 32-33; 

early mines, 32-33, 54-55; bring 

settlers, 38, 43. See also Mining 
Legislature, first state, 1820, 72-74. 

Sea also Politics 
Lewis, Mcriweather, 65 
Lewis and Clark expedition, 33, 96 
Lexington, and Santa Fe trade, 104; 

battle of, 225-226 
Liberal Republicans, 171-172, 174-182 
Liberty, arsenal at, 153 
Liberty Loans, 241 
Life of the people, 1770-1804, 50-56; 

1804-1821, 77-93 
Lincoln, Abraham, 143, 153, 162 
Lincoln Institute (now University), 

173, 334 
Lindenwood seminary, 332 
Linn, Lewis F., 110, 123-124 
Lisa, Manuel, 23, 95-96, 100-101 
Literature, 319-325 
Little Prairie, 44 
Lone Jack, battle of, 228 
Long, Breckenridgc, 245 
Long, Stephen H., 98 
Louisiana country, 36, 46 
Louisiana Fur Company, 39 
Louisiana Purchase, 58 61 
Louisiana Purchase Exposition, 192, 

194, 306 
Lumber, 15 

Lyon, Harris Merton, 324 
Lyon, Nathaniel, 153-155, 220-225 
McClurg, Joseph W., 170-171 
McCoy, J. C, 307 
McCullagh, Joseph B., 315, 319 



342 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



McCulloch, General. 224-225 

McKiiiley, J. C, 199 

McNair, Alexander, 72, 116 118 

McNeil, John H., 228 

Major, Elliott \V., 199-200 

Mallet brothers, 36 

Mansion house hotel, 70 

Marmadukc, John S., 189-190, 230 

Marmaduke, M. M., 117 

Marquette, 31 

Maxent, 39 

Merchants in pioneer Mo., 55 

Methodists in pioneer Mo., 92 

Mexican Border Trouble, 235-236 

Mexican War, 212 216 

Miamis in War of 1812, 80 81 

Middleton, J. A., 246 

Migration. See Population 

Mileage of railroads. See Transpor- 
tation 

Militia law, 118 

Military orders of Federals, 227-228 

Miller, Henry, 246 

Miller, John, 116 119, 122 

Military Missouri, 208 247 

Mineral wealth of Missouri, 13-14 

Mining in Missouri, 283-293 

Mississippi river, 9. See also Trans- 
portation 

Mississippi valley, 9-12 

Missouri, the center state, 9 18; loca- 
tion of, 10-11; gateway to the West, 
11-12; natural wealth of, 12-16; 
name, 17; people of, 19-26; Indi- 
ans in, 19-21; French in, 2123; 
Spanish in, 23; Americans in, 23- 
26; Germans in, 25; foreigners in, 
26; negroes in, 26; explorers of, 27- 
36; early trade in, 30-36; early lead 
mining in, 32-33; first century of 
settlement in, 1700 1804, 3846; 
government of Spanish in. 47-57; 
population of, 1795-1810, 44-45; 
capitals of, 63; boundaries of, 68; 
first five districts 'of, 64, 66; strug- 
gle for statehood of, 62 75; first 
state constitution of, 70-72; first 
state election in, 72; state govern- 
ment in, 1820, 72-74; boundaries of, 
6869; population of, 1820, 74; ad 
mission of, 75; government in, 1804- 
"321, 62-75; special legislature of. 



1821, 75; counties of, 1812-1821, 78; 
forts in. War of 1812, 80-81; pi- 
oneer life in, 1804-1821, 82-92; poli- 
tics in, 1820 1844, 112125; the 
'"Bullion State." 116; governors of, 
1820-1844, 116-121; land office law 
of, 1821, 118; state bank of, 120; 
troubles with Mormons, 120 121; 
politics in, 1844-1860, 126-145; im- 
migration to, 1844-1860, 127-128; 
constitution of, 1845, i29, 131; 
boundary dispute of, with Iowa, 
131; in War with Mexico, 131; at- 
titude on Kansas-Nebraska bill, 139- 
140; for compromise, 1860, 149-150; 
public opinion in, 1860 1861, 149- 
152; state convention in, 186., 150- 
152, 156-160; provisional govern- 
ment of, 156-161; constitutional con- 
vention of, 1865, 164-168; emancipa- 
tion of slaves by, 166; state debt 
of, 173; constitution of, 1875, 185- 
186; constitutional convention of, 
1922, 206; population of, 249-265; 
counties of, 253 254; agriculture in, 
272-282; mining in, 283 293; trans- 
portation in, 294-302; cities in, 303- 
314; journalism and literature in, 
315-325; education in, 326-336 
Missouri Compromise, first, 68; sec 

ond, 74-75 
Missouri Council of Defence, 241 
Missouri Enabling Act, 68 70 
Missouri Fur Company, 100101 
Missouri Gazette, 87, 315-317 
MissouHi Herald, 316 
Missouiu Intelligencer, 87, 315-316 
Missouri Military history, 247 
Missouri Military academy, 332 
Missouri Press Association, 318 
Missouri Republican, 315-316, 319 
Missouri river, 12, 17, 33-36 
Missouri School of Journalism, 319 
Missouri State Guard, 156 
Missouri State Militia, 227-228 
Missouri Trading Company, 95, 100 
Missouri Valley College, Marshall, 334 
Missouri Wesleyan College, Cameron, 

334 
Missouri and the Oregon Trail, 108 
110 



Index 



343 



Missouri and the Santa Fe trade, 

104-108 
Missouri and the West, 26o 271 
MissouiuAN, The, at St. Charles, 316 
Missourians, 19-26; the trail-makers of 

the West, 94-111; in the World 

War, 237 246 
Missouris, 1617, 19, 30 
Money, 18041820, 84; effect of San- 
ta Fe trade on, 108 
Monroe, James, 75 
Montgomery, James, 217 
Moore, Milton, 233 
Moorehouse, Albert P., 190 
Mormons, trouble with, 120-121; War 

with, 210211 
Mormon Trail, 109 
Mules, effect of Santa Fe trade on, 

107. Sec also Agriculture 
Mulligan, Col., 225-226 
Mumford, F. B., 241 
Murphy's Settlement, 45 
Muster Day, 118-119 
Native population of Missouri, 260- 

263 
Natural resources of Missouri, 32-33 
Negroes in Missouri, 26, 33, 259 
Nelson, William R., 315, 319 
Neosho legislature, 155-156 
New Bourbon, 43 

New England and Kansas, 139-140 
New Madrid, founding of, 44 
New Madrid claims, 79 
New Madrid county, 66, 78 SO 
New Mexico, trade with, 95, 104-108 
Newspapers in pioneer Mo., 87. See 

also Journalism 
Nickel. .S"f^ Mining 
Nicollet, 30 

Normal schools, 173, 181, 197 
Northwest Ordinance, 43 
Nortoni, Albert D., 199 
Oaths of loyalty, etc., 158, 159. 167 
Oats. See Agriculture 
"Old Bullion." See Benton 
Order Number Eleven, 229 230 
Oregon, emigration to, 108-110; work 

of Linn for, 123-124; occupation of, 

129 
Oregon Trail, 108 110 
Orr, Sample, 144 
Osages, 19-20, 48 



Osceola, burning of, 229 

Otoes, 19-20 

"Ousting Ordinance," 168 

Owen, Mary Alicia, 324 

Ozark Standard, 316 

Pacific railroad. See Transportation 

Palmer, L. C, 244 

Palmyra Massacre, 230 

Panic. Sec Depressions 

Park College, Parkville, 334 

Parker, Alton B., 196 

Paschal, Nathaniel, 315 

Patten, Nathaniel, 316 

Pea Ridge, battle of, 227 

Pension for the blind, 205 

People's party, 183184, 193 

Pershing, John J., 235, 242 244 

Petition for statehood, 1817, 67; 

1818, 67 
Peyton, R. L. Y., 156 
Phelps, John S.. 133. 186-187 
Pike, Zebulon M., 98 
Pioneer life in Missouri, 50-56, 82-92 
Planters hotel conference, 155 
Platte Purchase, 17. 20, 68, 119 120, 

123-124 
Pleasanton, General, 231 
Poindcxter, Col., 230 
Politics in Missouri, 1820-1922, 112- 

207 
Polk, Trusten, 141, 158 
Population of Missouri, 44, 45, 65, 

74, 77-78, 249-265 
Populist party, 175 
Porter, Joseph C, 228 
Potosi, 42 

Poultry experiment station, 198 
Powersite, dam at, 14 
Pratte, Chouteau and Co., 104 
Presbyterians in early Missouri, 92 
Price, Sterling, 137-140, 151, 155-156, 

213-214, 220-231 
Price's raid, 1864, 230 231 
Prices of farm products, etc. See 

Agriculture 
Progressive party, 199 
Prohibition, 203. 205 

Protestants in pioneer Missouri, 55-56 
Provisional government of Missouri. 

1861-1864, 156161 
Public opinion in Missouri, 1860-1861, 

144-145, 149-156 



344 



History of Missouri and Missourians 



Public School System. 1839, 126. See 
also Education 

Public service commission, 201, 300 

Pulitzer, Joseph, 315, 319 

Quantrell, 229, 231 

Queen of the Ozarks, 312-313 

Radical Republican party, 164-173 

Radisson and Groseilliers, 31 

Railroads, 120, 133, 296-301 

Rains, General, 224 

Ralls county, 74 

Ralls, Daniel, 72 

"Red Legs," 229 

Reed, James A., 199 

Reedy, William Marion, 315, 324 

Registry acts, 169-170 

Religion in early days, 55-56, 90-92 

Renault, brings first slaves, 33, 283 

Republican party, 178, 137, 143-145. 
See also Liberal Republicans 

Revolutionary War, 43 

Reynolds, Thomas, 116, 121 

Reynolds, T. C, 151, 156 

Rigauche, Mme., 327 

Rivers, 11-12 

Roads, 206, 301-302. See also Trans- 
portation 

Robidoux, Joseph, 310 

Rocky Mountain Fur Co., 101-103, 109 

Rolla, School of Mines at, 293 

Rollins, James S., 114, 132, 142 

Roosevelt, Theodore, 199 

Rule of the Radicals, 164-173 

Rumbold, Frank M., 233 

Rural Missouri. See Population 

Russell, Edgar, 245 

Sacramento, battle of, 215 
. Sacred Heart Academy, 332 

Sacs and Foxes, 19-20, 35, 48, 80, 82, 
119-120, 208-209 

St. Charles, 43, 74 

St. Charles county, 66 

Ste. Genevieve, i2, 38-39, 42, 55 

Ste. Genevieve county, 66 

St. Joseph, Michigan, 50 

St. Joseph, Missouri, 310-312 

St. Louis, 32, 38-42, 48-50, 104, 107, 
153-154, 304-306, 315-317, 328 

St. Louis college, 92 

St. Louis county, 66 

St. Louis Enquirer, 70, 87, 315 

St. Louis Herald, 316 



St. Louis Republic, 315 

St. Louis University, 333 

St. Michael's settlement, 45 

Salt, 28, 32, 38 

Salt river country, 78 

Santa Fe Trail and trade, 27, 35-36, 

94-95, 104-108, 308 
Scenery, 15-16 
Schofield, General, 228 
School for blind, 133, 331 
Schools for incorrigible boys and 

girls, 331 
School for deaf, 133, 331 
School of mines, 293, 335 
Schools. See Education 
Schurz, Carl, 171, 182, 315 
Scott, John. 67, 72, 74-75, 122 
Secession legislature, 1861, 155-156 
Seminaries, 331-332 
Seminole Indian War, 120, 209-210 
Settlements in pioneer Missouri, 33, 

38-46, 78-79 
-Settlers of Missouri, 23-26, 77-78 
Shawnees, 19 
Shelby, Joseph. 161, 230 
Sigel, General, 224 
Silver. Sec Money 
Slavery, extension of, 126-127, 137; in 

Missouri, 33, 83. 161-164 
Smith. Jedediah S.. 101, 103 
Smith, T. S. M., 245 
Snider, B. J., 322-323 
Social life in pioneer Missouri, 90-92 
•'Softs," 116. 128 
Soil, 13 

Soldiers bonus, 206, 247 
Soldiers' and sailors' employment 

agency, 246 
Soldiers' and sailors' memorial hall, 

247 
Soldiers' settlement amindnirnf, 205 
Solemn public act, 1821, 75 
Southwest Missouri, early settlement 

of, 78 
Spanish explorers, 23, 27-36 
Spanish land grants, 64 
.Spanish Louisiana, 44-57 
Spanish settlements in New Mexico, 

29-30 
Spanish-American War, 233-235 
Spanish-French period, 47-48, 50-56 
Spanish Trail. 109 



Index 



345 



Speculation. See Booms 

Spencer, Selden P., 203 

Springfield, Mo., 78, 312-313 

State aid to railroads. See Railroads 

State bank, 116, 120 

State fair. 193 

State food administrator, 241 

State guard, 156 

State historical society, 194 

State hospitals, 180, 190 

State militia, bill of 1861, 154 

State sanatorium, 197 

State seal, 118 

State Teachers' Association, 331 

State teachers' colleges, 173, 181, 197, 

334 
Steamboat, 88, 294-296 
Stephens, Lon V., 193-194 
Stettinius, Edward R., 245 
Stevens, Walter B., 315, 319, 334 
Stewart, Robert M., 142 
Stinson, Julia, 246 
Stoddard, Amos, 59, 63 
Stone, Wm. J., 192-193, 199, 202 
Stone. See Mining 
Street and road transportation, 301- 

302 
Sublett, William L., 101 
Taft, William H., 198 199 
Tarkio College, Tarkio, 334 
Taussig, J. H., 244 
Taverns, 87 

Teasdale, Sara, 315, 324 
Territory of Louisiana, 65 66 
Territory of Missouri, 66 
Territory of Orleans, 64-65 
Test oath, 159 
Texas, 129 

Thirty-fifth division, 238 239 
Thomas, Augustus, 315, 323-324 
Thompson, Jeff, 230 
Tools on pioneer farm, 55 
Towns, first in Missouri, 55 
Trade in pioneer days, 30-36 



Trails, 104-110 

Training school for boys, 190 
Transfer of upper Louisiana, 59-60 
Transportation, 88, 294-302 
Trudeau, John B., 319, 326 
Twain, Mark, 315, 321-322 
Umphraville, Angus, 320 
Union army, 219-232 
University of Missouri, 121, 334-33S 
Upper Louisiana, 59-60, 63 
L^rban Missouri. See Population 
Van Horn, General, 227 
Vest, George G., 187-188 
Vial, 36 
Vote cast for governors, 1870-1920, 

178 
Vroonian, Carl, 245 
Wagon road, first in Missouri, 55 
Warner, William, 192, 196-197 
War of 1812, 80 82 
Wars of Missouri, 208-247 
Washington University, 334-335 
Waterpower in Missouri, 16 
Wcntworth academy, 332 
Western Journal, 315 
Westminster College, Fulton, 334 
Westport, 307; battle of, 231 
Westport Landing, 104, 106, 307 
Wheat. See Agriculture 
Whig party. See Politics 
White persons. See Population 
"Wide-Awakes," 153, 155 
Wilfley, X. P., 202 
Wilkinson, James, 65 
Willard, Arthur Lee, 234 
William Jewell College, Liberty, 334 
Williams, Abraham J., 116 
Williams, Walter, 315 
Wilson, Robert, 157 
Wilson's Creek, battle of, 224-225 
Woman Suffrage, 203 
Woodson, Silas, 180-181 
World War, 201-203, 237-248 
/inc. Srr Mining 



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